Xtravagant wins 2015 Sothys 43rd N.Z. 2000 Guineas Group 1 NZ$400,000 at Riccarton Park (NZ) 3yo, 1600m.
Xtravagant was hunted up early from barrier 13 and crossed to the rail within the first 150m although Amarula, on his outer, briefly grabbed the lead only to drop into a one-out trail. With half the journey remaining, jockey Matt Cameron hugged the rails to keep his half length advantage until the straight and then allowed the colt his head. Passing the 300m, he burst clear by three and at the 200m by five lengths. Into the last 100m he cleared out by eight lengths and at the post was full of runningfor a pulverizing win in a time of 1:33.59 for the 1600m. This was a huge win, the like of which we have not seen in years.
Battle Time kept to the rails around the corner and into the straight then moved off the rails but had no chance whatsoever against the winner. He fought well for a distant second.
Serena Miss was well back before the straight but threaded her way through the field to be handy enough. She, too, tried hard getting to second at the 200 metres but was outstayed in the last hundred. The rest of the field were in another race altogether, such was the winner’s total dominance.
