Racing: Trip to Aussie next

Natuzzi had few problems in winning the Lightning Hcp. Photo / Thinkstock

Natuzzi sets sights on Caulfield after outclassing Trentham rivals.

Otago sprinter Natuzzi is off to take on the Australians at their own game.

The 5-year-old's dominant victory in Saturday's Lightning Hcp at Trentham was enough for Wingatui trainer Paul Richards to confirm a trip across the Tasman to Melbourne and possibly Adelaide.

The son of Coats Choice settled back early in the 1200m sprint, and jockey Chris Johnson opted to stay close to the rail. The move paid off as Johnson found a gap 300m from the line and Natuzzi burst through to win by a comfortable two lengths over Whosyourmaster.

"He was just too good for them," Richards said yesterday.

"Chris said he relaxed good and they went along a bit early on. He just needed a bit of an opening in the straight and once that came, he finished really good."

Natuzzi confirmed his fondness for Trentham, having won last year's Lightning and running second in the Telegraph Hcp in January.

Richards will now turn his attention to Australia and the strong sprinting ranks, which could work in Natuzzi's favour.

Australian sprinters are a permanent fixture near the top of the tree, with Choisir and Black Caviar just two to take on the Northern Hemisphere's best at Royal Ascot and win.

"I've talked to the handicapper over there a couple of times," Richards said. "On his rating before he won yesterday [97], for that group three race at Caulfield, he would be on the minimum.

"Obviously, that won't be the case now, but he won't be topweight."

That group three race is the Victoria Hcp over 1400m at Caulfield on April 19 - one of two races Richards is considering for Natuzzi's Australian debut. The other option is a 1200m sprint at Caulfield a week earlier.

After that, the Goodwood at Morphettville in Adelaide is a prospect "if he's going good".

"He could have stayed up there and gone to Awapuni in a fortnight, but the money in Australia is good and the Goodwood is a half-million dollar race."