Our Gazza took full advantage of an easing of the Riccarton track to provide one of his part-owners with a timely victory.
The 7-year-old turned his form around from the opening day of the meeting with a dogged finish to land the Christchurch Casino Winter Classic.
"It's a big relief and a nice win for Cliff Condren, who is in hospital so hopefully this will put a big smile on his face," trainer Lisa Latta said.
Our Gazza had headed south in excellent touch with consecutive heavy going wins at Wanganui and Trentham, but he was out of his comfort zone when unplaced on a better surface in the group three Winter Cup last Saturday.
"He's a true wet tracker and with the tracks in the central districts so wet he'll carry on now and get up over more ground," Latta said.
