Von Tunzelman wins 2017 M. Ewen & Assoc. Kaimai Stakes Listed NZ$50,000 at Matamata (NZ), 2000m.

Multiple champion sire Zabeel (Sir Tristram) refuses to fade away, siring his 163rd stakes winner with a nice effort by honest Von Tunzelman here. From barrier two, Von Tunzelman drifted soon after the start and settled worse than midfield past the post with a round to run. Rider Michael Coleman hugged the fence around the far turn and down the back straight then moved out and forward at the 800m. Their momentum carried them up in behind the pace yet they were widest turning in. Well into the straight they still had three lengths to make up but in a couple of strides bounded alongside the leaders and the race looked won yet, they had to withstand a late challenge but had enough in the tank at the line.

Fanatic tried to track the winner approaching the last corner but had to thread her way through once into the straight and ran on strongly for a very good and perhaps unlucky second.

Cruiser was fifth, one out, approaching the last corner, saw daylight at the 300m and tried to go with Fanatic, holding on well for third.