Our Gazza took full advantage of an easing of the Riccarton track to provide one of his part-owners with a timely victory.

The seven-year-old turned his form around from the opening day of the meeting with a dogged finish to take home the thick end of the stake in 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 Gr.3 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.

Our Gazza was tardily away from the barrier and settled at the back of the field before rider Johnathon Parkes urged him to pick up ground.

The seven-year-old responded and a sustained finish got him home by a half head from Miss Three Stars with Duffers Creek a length and a quarter back in third place ahead of the winner’s stablemate Authentic Paddy.

“He got out into the open and he finished off really well,” Latta said.

Our Gazza’s stablemate Golden Bay had earlier claimed the NZ Bloodstock Premier to open Latta’s winning account at the carnival.