Racing: Runaway Bazz causes sprint upset

Alyssa Schwerin aboard Bazz. Photo / Trish Dunell

Underrated sprinter Bazz caused a minor upset when he led all the way to score handsomely in rating 75 company at Tauranga yesterday.

The Ben Foote trained galloper had been disappointing of late as he battled some niggling injuries, however, he appeared to relish the rain-affected going as he strode to a third career victory.

Taken straight to the front by apprentice Alyssa Schwerin, the four-year-old gelding bowled along at a good pace throughout the contest.

Utilising her three kilogram claim to its full extent Schwerin put the pressure on as she established a break on her rivals as they swung for home.

That was the winning of the race as Bazz kept up a powerful gallop to the finish where he still had two lengths to spare on minor placegetters Valante and All Torn Up who tried gamely to peg him back but to no avail.

"The claim he got today was a big advantage and he did a good job," noted stable representative Kim Rogers after the race.

"He has had a few issues so we were pleased to see the softening of the track although we didn't know how he would cope with the heavy 10.

"He goes well when there's some sting out and he kept rolling along nicely today."

Schwerin was full of praise for her mount's efforts when she returned to the winner's circle.

"I was waiting for the other horses to come all the way up the straight but he was excellent and it was a good win," she said.

"I tried to hold off with the stick for as long as possible but when I gave him a couple to see if he had a little more he just kept giving."

The heavy track surface played havoc with the chances of the well-fancied runners in the contest, with race favourite Diva Achiever wilting to finish last after racing handy while second favourite Shot In The Dark could only beat the favourite home after being tailed off throughout.

- NZ Racing Desk