Racing: Bahhzaar prepares for St Leger start

Promising Awapuni mare Bahhzaar will be set for the $50,000 New Zealand St Leger (2500m) at Trentham on March 18, after an impressive outing at Tauherenikau on Monday.

The Bahhare 4-year-old was recording her fourth win from 14 starts when she took out the rating 92 event over 2050m.

But there was some luck in the victory after she ducked in sharply about 200m from the finish, causing severe interference to fifth-placed Subtle, the Dominion Post reported.

Subtle, who looked a definite winning chance, was knocked out of contention but could not be promoted to a dividend-bearing position so there were no grounds for a protest.

No charges were laid against Bahhzaar's rider, Jason Waddell, as he took immediate measures to correct the mare.

After the win Waddell was a bit frustrated.

"She does a lot of things wrong in her races. She hung out all the way and then suddenly ducked in in the straight," he said.

Waddell has now ridden the mare to her last two victories.

Out of the Zabeel mare Noubeel, Bahhzaar was a $10,000 yearling purchase and is raced by Manawatu's Willie Duncan.

Trainer Mark Oulaghan said Bahhzaar would probably contest the $30,000 St Leger Trial (2100m) at Otaki on February 25 in her final lead-up to the St Leger.

- NZPA