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Lazzura Delivers Again in Golden Pendant as Group 1 Targets Beckon
Classy mare Lazzura continued her outstanding campaign with a commanding victory in Saturday’s Group 2 $400,000 Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill, further enhancing her reputation as one of the country’s premier mares and setting up a tilt at more Group 1 success later in the spring.
Starting a dominant $1.85 favourite, the Chris Waller-trained daughter of Snitzel enjoyed an economical run under champion jockey James McDonald before producing her trademark acceleration to defeat Verona Rose ($13) by 1¼ lengths, with Modella ($6.50) a long neck away in third.
The five-year-old stopped the clock in 1:23.00 and reeled off a slick 33.82-second final 600m, taking her career earnings beyond $2.1 million and adding another elite performance to an already impressive record that includes victory in this year’s Group 1 Coolmore Classic.
Waller Eyeing More Big Race Targets
Waller praised the mare’s consistency and professionalism following the win, describing her as a horse that continually delivers when called upon.
“She’s unassuming but she gets the job done,” he told the media post-win.
“She’s a lovely horse to work with. She tries hard and you know you’re going to get an honest day’s work out of her.”
Waller was pleased with the run afforded by McDonald in the small field and felt the mare’s class ultimately proved the difference.
“Lovely ride,” he said.
“Only a small field but she ended up getting a lovely run.
“Gangsta Granny was the horse to beat and the horse to follow, so it was good to be able to track that horse.
“The other horse, Verona Rose, came late but she held it off well.”
While a start in next month’s lucrative The Invitation remains on the agenda, Waller indicated a pair of Group 1 races are also under strong consideration.
“Hopefully we get an invitation for The Invitation. That’s the beauty of racing in New South Wales,” he said.
“She deserves to be running in Group Ones.”
Looking further ahead, Waller nominated either the Group 1 $1 million Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival on Derby Day, October 31, and or Sandown’s Group 1 $1 million C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) on November 14.
“The Empire Rose is a week later. Or the Orr,” he said.
“She is a 1400 metre horse, that’s her distance, isn’t it? She ran second to Beiwacht in the All Aged Stakes, so that’s probably where she heads after The Invitation rather than backing up in seven days.”
McDonald Excited by Spring Prospects
Winning rider McDonald believes Lazzura has returned in terrific order and may still have further improvement to come this campaign.
“That was nice. Lazzura jumped out of the ground today, she was stimulated and is in for a good preparation,” he said.
“She is just a beautiful mare. She has been well placed all her life and is just a good horse.
“I think she can improve again, too. She has some tougher tasks ahead but she deserves to be in those good races.”
Futures Markets React to Golden Pendant Results
Saturday’s performance wasn’t lost on bookmakers, with Ladbrokes trimming Lazzura’s quote in a pair of key spring Group 1 markets.
The Golden Pendant winner has firmed from $15 into $11 in betting on the 2026 Empire Rose Stakes, while her odds for the C.F. Orr Stakes have been slashed from $26 into $13 following her latest success.
CF Orr Stakes 2026 Odds
| 1. Beiwacht | ||
| 2. Angel Capital | ||
| 3. Jimmysstar | ||
| 4. Briasa | ||
| 5. Lazzura |
With seven wins from 19 starts and over $2 million in prizemoney, Lazzura continues to build an enviable résumé. If her Golden Pendant performance is any indication, the talented mare looks poised to play a major role in the feature mares’ races of the spring, whether that be in Melbourne’s prestigious Empire Rose Stakes or the elite weight-for-age ranks of the C.F. Orr Stakes.
