Tarzino Trophy (Challenge Stakes NZ)
Tarzino Trophy
Group One Betting Guide
| Date: | Saturday September 6, 2025 |
| Location: | Hastings Racecourse |
| Prize Money: | $300,000 |
| Distance: | 1400m |
THE Tarzino Trophy is one of New Zealand’s most prized feature races and is steeped in history.
Formerly known as the Challenge Stakes, the Tarzino Trophy is the first group one of the season in New Zealand and it is run during the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival in August/September.
The next running of the Tarzino Trophy Stakes will be on September 14, 2024 and is sponsored by Westbury Stud, which is standing Victorian Derby and Rosehill Guineas winner Tarzino at stud this season. The race has been named in honour of the son of Zabeel which raced for Mick Price in Australia.
The weight-for-age contest over 1400m doesn’t suit every runner that lines up, but most entrants are going for the Triple Crown which includes the Windsor Park Plate and the Spring Classic.
It’s currently worth $300,000 and despite attracting some of New Zealand’s best ever thoroughbreds, the race only gained elite status in 2003 after champion mare Sunline took out the then Group Two Challenge Stakes in 2002.
The win by Sunline caused a skyrocket in popularity for the race, which was seen as an exhibition gallop for the two-time Cox Plate champion. It has since been taken out by the likes of Xcellent, Starcraft and Tavistock among a long list of champion winners.
Punters love betting on the Tarzino Trophy because it follows a tough winter season and punters are keen to see the stars in action during the spring.
2025 Tarzino Trophy Odds
Tarzino Trophy 2025 betting odds are currently unavailable.
Best Challenge Stakes bookmakers
Despite the race being run in New Zealand, the Australian and global bookmakers will offer markets for the Group 1 Challenge Stakes.
It’s one of the highlight races on the calendar and bookies know how important it is to give punters a look at the early futures, fixed odds and tote markets.
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Latest Tarzino Trophy News
Notable Tarzino Trophy winners
The The Tarzino Trophy is synonymous with champion winners and the list is a lengthy one.
Tavistock won in 2009 before becoming a top stallion in New Zealand and Australia. That win came only two years after Seachange scored the second of its back-to-back victories.
The speedy mare won a total of 14 races during its 25-start career and her consecutive Tarzino Trophy wins were two of the highlights.
Xcellent scored an excellent win in 2005 before running third in the Melbourne Cup later that year. Its come-from-behind victory was one of the best seen at the Hastings track.
Sunline was the most popular winner in recent history. The champion mare won on its ear in 2002 in what was considered to be an exhibition gallop. The McKee-trained runner was on the pace and Tit For Taat was left chasing a shadow in the straight.
The race was subsequently upgraded a Group One status following the win of Sunline.
Melody Belle took out the Tarzino Trophy in 2018 in what was one of her remarkable 14 wins at Group 1 level.
Other winners include the likes of Snap, Surfers Paradise, Rough Habit, Flying Luskin (the first of the McKee’s three Challenge Stakes wins) and Poetic Prince.
2025 Tarzino Trophy Final Field
HorseBetting will update this page when the 2025 Tarzino Trophy final field is released.
Previous Tarzino Trophy Fields
No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 
Puntura Robbie Patterson Courtney Barnes 10 59kg 2 Waitak Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Masa Hashizume 1 59kg 3 Sacred Satono Bruce Wallce & Grant Cooksley Ryan Elliot 3 59kg 4 Crocetti Danny Walker & Arron Tata Warren Kennedy 9 58.5kg 5 Geriatrix Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Johnathan Parkes 4 58.5kg 6 Bonny Lass Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall Craig Grylls 6 57kg 7 Skew Wiff Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Opie Bosson 11 57kg 8 Faraglioni Josh Shaw Jonathan Riddell 2 57kg 9 Snazzytavi Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall Vinne Colgan 8 57kg 10 Blissful Belle John Bary Sam Spratt 7 57kg 11 Grail Seeker Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Matt Cartwright 5 56.5kg No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Callsign Mav John Bary Jonathan Riddell 15 59kg 2 Dragon Leap Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Joe Doyle 6 59kg 3 Brando Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Johnathan Parkes 16 59kg 4 He’s A Doozy Lisa Latta Kozzi Asano 9 59kg 5 Gospodin Jim Pender Kozzi Asano 17 59kg 6 Spring Tide John Bary Joe Kamaruddin 1 59kg 7 Sharp ‘N’ Smart Team Rogerson Michael McNab 2 58.5kg 8 Pier Darryn & Briar Weatherley Sam Weatherley 3 58.5kg 9 La Crique Simon & Katrina Alexander Craig Grylls 14 57kg 10 Belclare Lisa Latta Sam Spratt 7 57kg 11 Aromatic Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Warren Kennedy 11 57kg 12 Malt Time Shaun & Emma Clotworthy Vinnie Colgan 10 57kg 13 Legarto Ken & Bev Kelso Ryan Elliot 5 56.5kg 14 Pennyweka Jim Wallace Kate Hercock 13 56.5kg 15 Lickety Split Andrew Forsman Lisa Allpress 12 56.5kg 16 Skew Wiff Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Opie Bosson 4 56.5kg 17 Mali Ston (1E)Darryn & Briar WeatherleyTroy Harris859kgNo. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Demonetization Nigel Tiley Sam Spratt 3 59kg 2 Green Luck Ryan Elliot Paul Harris 4 59kg 3 Helena Baby John Bell Darren Danis 6 59kg 4 Spring Tide John Bary Jonathan Riddell 2 59kg 5 Dark Destroyer Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Lisa Allpress 8 58.5kg 6 Jodelin Gal Carl Henderson Tegan Newman 7 57kg 7 Rose ‘N’ Power Fred & Lindsay Cornege Sam Weatherley 1 57kg 8 Imperatriz Mark Walker Opie Bosson 9 56.5kg 9 La Crique Simon & Katrina Alexander Craig Grylls 5 56.5kg
2024 Tarzino Trophy result
1st – Grail Seeker (+3100)
2nd – Faraglioni (+440)
3rd – Sacred Satono (+170)
Recent Tarzino Trophy winners
- Matt Cartwright announced his arrival among the top echelon of New Zealand’s jockeys with a stunning treble on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival at Hastings on Saturday, culminating in a giant-killing Group 1 win with Grail Seeker claiming Tarzino Trophy (1400m). The Iffraaj mare was overlooked as a $32 outsider for her first-up tilt at the Tarzino, in which she faced a formidable field featuring no fewer than seven Group 1 winners. But Grail Seeker rose to the occasion with a sensational coming-of-age performance. Cartwright took up a comfortable position in sixth along the rail as the favoured pair of Crocetti and Bonny Lass set a solid speed out in front. Those two rounded the home turn side by side, seemingly set to renew their rivalry after fighting out a thrilling finish in the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa earlier this year. But that script was torn up in the straight as Faraglioni and Sacred Satono sprinted past the two favourites with 200m remaining. Cartwright had angled Grail Seeker out to the middle of the track in the meantime, and when he let her rip, the four-year-old came with giant bounds and blasted past Faraglioni to win by a length and a quarter. The race was run in a slick time of 1:21.46 – the fastest Tarzino since 2006.
- Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, trainers for Te Akau Racing, had reason to celebrate at Hastings as they added another feather to their cap after Tokyo Tycoon and Quintessa’s impressive stakes victories. Their day got even better when the progressive mare Skew Wiff managed to outshine her recent rival, Dragon Leap, securing the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). Skew Wiff, a daughter of the renowned stallion Savabeel, bred and owned by Waikato Stud, had suffered a late defeat by Dragon Leap in the Stud-sponsored Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) just a month prior. However, this time, she turned the tables with a stellar ride by Opie Bosson. Bosson made the most of a favorable barrier draw (4), positioning the four-year-old mare behind the leaders Pier and Callsign Mav. It became evident that she was in control of the race as early as 800 metres from the finish. With 250m to go, Bosson urged Skew Wiff to take the lead, and she held off a late charge from Dragon Leap and another talented four-year-old mare, Legarto, to claim her first stakes win and secure her third career victory. Notably, she had finished second twice at Group One level during her three-year-old season.
- Dark Destroyer, one of last season’s top three-year-olds showed he has come back as a spring four-year-old in fine fettle as he produced a resolute finish to take out the first Group One of the New Zealand season, the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained son of Proisir hadn’t been seen since completing a successful campaign in Brisbane during the winter where he took out the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2143m) before finishing an unlucky fourth in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) behind fellow Kiwi, Pinarello. The David Archer-owned gelding had failed to flatter when unplaced behind race-rival La Crique over 1100m at the Taupo trials last month, however he stripped a far fitter horse for his campaign opener on Saturday. Settled back towards the rear by rider Lisa Allpress, Dark Destroyer began to move into the race approaching the home corner where hot favourite Imperatriz ($1.50) had been taken to the front by Opie Bosson. Imperatriz and last year’s runner-up Spring Tide set down to a tooth and nail struggle at the 200m before Dark Destroyer asserted his superiority in the final stages to win by a length from Spring Tide with La Crique knocking off Imperatriz for third.
- Having been sent around as a popular $3.70 market-elect the John Bary-trained Callsign Mav fell in to claim the 2021 Tarzino Trophy. Having been made to work to find the lead from barrier 11, Jonathan Riddell managed to cross the field and have Callsing Mav lead throughout. Despite the fast-finishing Spring Tide looking like he will finish over the top of the eventual winner, Callsign Mav found enough in the final 50m to go on and claim the race by 0.2 lengths in a thrilling edition of the race and claim consecutive Tarzino Trophy wins.
- Many an astute punter gave Callsign Mav little to no chance in the Tarzino Trophy, so when he saluted at an $82 quote, not many would have held a winning ticket. Having settled fourth in the running, Callsign Mav was given an A-grade steer from Jonathan Riddell to claim Group 1 glory. The 0.8 length win saw him hold off the fast finishing Supera and managed to defeat the all-conquering Avantage who was sent around as a $1.20 favourite. The win handed local trainer his second win in the race, having trained Survived to success in the event back in 2013.
- Despite settling close to lat, the superstar mare that is Melody Belle charged down the middle of the track to claim back-to-back wins in the Tarzino Trophy. When cornering, the superstar had just two runners behind her, but when Michael McNab asked for an effort entering the home straight she was quick to pick off her rivals. With 100m to go, it was all over bar the shouting as she went on to become just the third runner to claim multiple Tarzino Trophy wins.
- Melody Belle stamped her credentials as a must-watch Kiwi horse after winning the Tarzino Trophy. After taking up an early spot on the speed a number of runners went past the eventual winner but she never panicked, taking the lead at the 200m and gritting it out to record a strong win.
- Despite finishing well in the lead-up to the Tarzino Trophy, Close Up wasn’t found by punters. The Shelley Hale-trained eight-year-old ran well over the odds and it held on gamely over group one winner Aide Memoire and last start winner Underthemoonlight. It was a welcome return to the big stage for jockey Grant Cooksley who was nearing the end of his career just a few years ago. The big spring runs came from Gingernuts which flashed into fifth and Kawi was steady to the line in fourth. Read the report here.
- Kawi became the second horse to win back-to-back Challenge Stakes when winning as the hot favourite in 2016. The Allan Sharrock-trained gelding was kicking off its Triple Crown campaign and it did it in style, winning by 1.3 lengths over El Pescado and Farm Boy. The field also included subsequent group one winner Mime, the Australian-performed Capella and fan-favourite Hasselhoof. Kawi’s bid for the Triple Crown was derailed by the abandonment of a key lead-up race.
- Kawi scored the first of its two Challenge Stakes victory by the same margin. It scored by 1.3 lengths over a quality field and it handled the wet conditions much better than the rest of the field. Jockey Leith Innes had the gelding in a good spot before running on and kicking clear in the straight. The well-favoured Ryan Mark finished in second after battling well and Ginner Hart ran well for third. Out of the placings was Karaka Million winner Vespa and future Australian winner Turn Me Loose.
- I Do was the first of three consecutive winners for trainer Allan Sharrock and this win was tinged with sadness. The popular grey ran in honour of the late Lisa Chittick, who was married to Waikato’s Stud Mark Chittick, and it won in style. The daughter of No Excuse Needed was best suited to wet tracks, but it made the best of the dead track conditions by holding on over Pussy O’Reilly and subsequent group one winner Pure Champion.
- Survived gave the locals a strong victory in 2013 when the John Bary-trained runner scored a one length win. The gelding, which now races in Australia, relished the heavy track conditions to score over a talented field. Opie Bosson was aboard the son of Zed and the form stood up nicely having beaten the likes of Final Touch, Sangster and Taurus.
- Ocean Park was a popular winner for punters in 2012. The Gary Hennessy-trained runner was the talk of the town prior to winning and it stamped its authority before later winning the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. The star colt scored by a half-length over Xanadu with 2011 winner Mufhasa running in fourth. The Challenge Stakes was run on another rain-affected track, but it took nothing away from a quality race from a future superstar stallion.
Tarzino Trophy past winners list
| Tarzino Trophy Past Winners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2024 | Grail Seeker | Matt Cartwright | Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott |
| 2023 | Skew Wiff | Opie Bosson | Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson |
| 2022 | Dark Destroyer | Lisa Allpress | Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott |
| 2021 | Callsign Mav | Jonathan Riddell | John Bary |
| 2020 | Callsign Mav | Jonathan Riddell | John Bary |
| 2019 | Melody Belle | Michael McNab | Jamie Richards |
| 2018 | Melody Belle | Sharif Rusof | Jamie Richards |
| 2017 | Close Up | Grant Cooksley | Shelly Hale |
| 2016 | Kawi | Leith Innes | Allan Sharrock |
| 2015 | Kawi | Leith Innes | Allan Sharrock |
| 2014 | I Do | Opie Bosson | Allan Sharrock |
| 2013 | Survived | Opie Bosson | John Barry |
| 2012 | Ocean Park | Lisa Allpress | Gary Hennessy |
| 2011 | Mufhasa | Sam Spratt | Stephen McKee |
| 2010 | Keep The Peace | James McDonald | Shaune Ritchie |
| 2009 | Lord Tavistock | Jason Waddell | Andrew Campbell |
| 2008 | Fritzy Boy | Noel Harris | Alby Macgregor |
| 2007 | Seachange | Gavin McKeon | Reg Manning |
| 2006 | Seachange | Gavin McKeon | Reg Manning |
| 2005 | Xcellent | Michael Coleman | Mike Moroney & Andrew Scott |
| 2004 | Starcraft | Leith Innes | Gary Newham |
| 2003 | Miss Potential | Barry Jones | Bill Borrie |
| 2002 | Sunline | Greg Childs | Stephen & Trevor McKee |
| 2001 | Fritz | Noel Harris | Neil Coulbeck |
| 2000 | Cent Home | David Walker | John Wallace |
Tarzino Trophy Past Winners Pre 2000
| Challenge Stakes Past Winners Pre 2000 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | ||
| 1999 | Hero | ||
| 1998 | Batavian | ||
| 1997 | Pakaraka Star | ||
| 1996 | Vialli | ||
| 1995 | Marconee | ||
| 1994 | Snap | ||
| 1993 | Calm Harbour | ||
| 1992 | Surfers Paradise | ||
| 1991 | Rough Habit | ||
| 1990 | Flying Luskin | ||
| 1989 | Catering King | ||
| 1988 | Poetic Prince | ||
| 1987 | Field Dancer | ||
| 1986 | Catering King | ||
| 1985 | Shagolvin | ||
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