Pre-race spotlight – Orzala

Second-last foal from dual Group 1 winner to debut at Canterbury.

Norzita. Picture: Racing and Sports

Arrowfield Stud's time with Norzita was brief, and ended in tragedy, but it will be hoping a new legacy might be spawned when the second-last foal from the dual Group 1 winner steps out at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Orzala will carry the Arrowfield colours in the $55,000 Precise Air Handicap (1250m).

The daughter of Snitzel will become the fourth to race from Norzita, a daughter of Thorn Park who won the Flight Stakes (1600m) and Storm Queen Stakes (2000m), the latter being the final Group 1 win for legendary trainer Bart Cummings in his own right.

Sadly, Norzita died in a paddock accident on November 14, 2020 – the same day that her first foal Carif (So You Think) won the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m).

She had only been at Arrowfield for a little over a year, having taken up residence there after being sold for $1.7 million at the 2019 Inglis Chairman's Sale while carrying Orzala.

Orzala was then offered at last year's Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, where she was bought by renowned Kiwi bloodstock agent Paul Moroney on behalf of clients who were happy to have Arrowfield buy back in.

She has been fitted up for her debut with four well-spaced trials, the latest of them the best, when successful over 1045m at Randwick on August 19.

Orzala, who is trained by John O'Shea, will be ridden by James Mcdonald in Wednesday's eight-horse event, in which they will jump from barrier three.

Norzita's second foal was Confidant, a son of Fastnet Rock who won as a $1.30 favourite on debut at Pakenham but has won just two more races from an additional 18 starts.

Her third foal, Nor Izzati (So You Think), had just one start for a fourth placing in a Scone maiden, while the only one left to get to the track is a two-year-old filly by The Autumn Sun.


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