Successful in the 2017 NZ$200,000 G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand S. for her inaugural Group 1 triumph, Lizzie L'Amour (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) is back to defend her title on Auckland Cup Day at Ellerslie on Saturday. Hailing from the stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, as are Group 3 winner Saint Emilion (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and Nicoletta (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), the bay was unplaced in four starts across the Tasman during the Southern Hemisphere spring, but has been a markedly different animal since returned to her native land. Successful in the G2 Cal Isuzu S. going a mile at Te Rapa on Dec. 16, Lizzie L'Amour found only Authentic Paddy (NZ) (Howbaddouwantit) too good in the local G1 Zabeel Classic upped to 2000 meters on Boxing Day. She filled the bridesmaid's roll again in the 1400m G2 Westbury Classic on Jan. 27, but strolled home the easiest of winners in the G1 Herbie Dyke S. when last seen on Feb. 10. G3 Desert Gold S. heroine Nicoletta was third that day.
The biggest threat to Lizzli L'Amour is 2017 champion sprinter Start Wondering (NZ) (Eighth Wonder {NZ}). A dual Group 1 winner in 2017, the gelding added a third top-shelf score in the G1 BCD Group Sprint at Te Rapa on Feb. 10, but could only manage fifth when favoured to Devise (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) in the 1600-metre Haunui Farm Classic at Hastings on Feb. 24. The Evan and J J Raynor charge will have no problems cutting back down to 1200 metres.
An intriguing alternative is the progressive Darscape Princess (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}). Riding a four-race winning streak, the Fraser Auret charge lifted the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders S. at Tauherenikau on Feb. 6, and she was last seen in action snagging a 1550m Benchmark 85 handicap at Awapuni on Mar. 2.
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