![Tommy Berry guides Lazzura to a hard-fought victory in the $2 million Invitation at Randwick, with the Chris Waller-trained mare holding off Infancy. [Bradley Photos]](https://betsy.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2382586.jpg)
Tommy Berry opted for spontaneity over strategy when it came to tactics aboard and Lazzura, and the classy mare was good enough to get the job done in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick.
From a wide draw, Berry was in two-minds over whether to be positive or negative in the early stages, and in the end he decided to leave it up to Lazzura.
“I still had no idea what I was going to do going to the gates, and I thought, I’ll ride her how she jumps,” Berry said.
“She pinged the lids and at the end of the day, it’s not the way to ride her, but she’s the best horse in the race.
“Good horses overcome adversity, and that’s what she did today.”
With Perfumist making the running, Berry settled Lazzura ($2.70 fav) in second and ranged up to hit the front halfway up the straight.
The Chris Waller -trained mare was out on her feet late but had enough in hand to hold off Infancy ($71) by a half-length with Verona Rose ($13) another short head away third.
“She had to burn the candle at both ends,” Waller’s assistant trainer, Darren Beadman said.
“It was, do we go forward, or do we go back? But the way she jumped, Tommy made an executive decision and said, ‘Bang. She’s the best horse in the race’.
“She really cut out some slick sectionals in the early stages, but once she got there she gave herself a chance and switched off, and she runs out a strong 1400.”
Beadman was unsure what would be next for Lazzura, and said while she contested the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) 12 months ago, he wasn’t convinced Waller would back her up off a tough run.
The Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in two weeks and The Hunter (1300m) a week later could also be possible options.
“I’ll leave that to the master himself,” Beadman said.
“Whatever she does is just a bonus. She’s a Group One-winning mare and she has won her last two Group Twos.”
Kris Lees was delighted with the effort of runner-up Infancy and confirmed she would press on to the $1 million The Hunter (1300m) at her home track of Newcastle on November 14.
