Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Owner-trainer Nathan Turvey was disappointed at Azterian’s two unplaced efforts last month after the six-year-old had resumed from a spell that he decided to work the Victorian-bred gelding harder.
This has had the desired effect, with Azterian’s two appearances after the change in routine producing a second placing at Bunbury and an easy victory in the 2130m APG Perth Yearling Sale March 3RD Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“I made a decision to work him harder, and it is paying dividends,” said Turvey. “I am now galloping him once a week on my thousand metre sand track, riding a motor bike and leading him. And I’ve never had him looking so good.”
Reinsman Kyle Symington was impressed with Azterian’s improvement, saying: “He was feeling a lot sharper tonight. He did some early work (out three wide) before gaining a good sit, one-out and one-back.”
Symington switched Azterian ($5.20) three wide 650m from home and he burst to the front 150m later and went on to win comfortably by more than a length from the fast-finishing $12 chance Here Comes Sharkie, rating 1.57.5.
Azterian, a winner at seven of his 52 Victorian starts, has had 13 starts in WA for Turvey for three wins and four placings, taking his career record to 65 starts for ten wins, 22 placings and $66,762.
Azterian is by American stallion Sportswriter and is the second foal out of Victorian mare Neishars Jet, who raced 32 times for two wins, five placings and $12,861.
Azterian’s great granddam Nemeeshar was a WA-bred mare by Village Jasper who amassed $331,230 from 18 wins and 15 placings from 41 starts.
Nemeeshar’s first six starts in WA in November and December 2002 produced two wins (at Pinjarra and Gloucester Park) and two thirds before she went on to win the Group 1 Gold Tiara at Bathurst in March 2003, the group 1 Vicbred Super Series final for three-year-old fillies at Moonee Valley in May 2004, and the $121,500 Breeders Crown at Bendigo in August 2004.