Last month’s $600,000 Group 1 Barneswood Farm 53rd New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) is proving to be the early form race for the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), with runner-up Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca) announced as the third confirmed runner for the Champions Day feature.

The Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall-trained filly will join race winner Well Written (AUS) (Written Tycoon), alongside Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo), in the southern hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race after being selected by the Barneswood Brady Nakhle Slot Holder partnership.

Well Written was the horse every NZB Kiwi Slot Holder wanted, but after Entain New Zealand (TAB) secured the unbeaten filly earlier this month, the Barneswood Brady Nakhle partnership moved quickly to lock in their next target.

Slot Manager Barneswood Brady Nakhle was rapt to seal a deal with Lollapalooza's owners - Social Racing Premier Dynamic Duo Syndicate and Richardson Racing Carnival Syndicate.

“Well Written was at the top of everyone’s list, but you can only have one of those, and Lolla was certainly on the radar,” Nakhle said. “She was by far and away our choice thereafter. 

“It (1000 Guineas) is the best form line, we think, through the three-year-olds. She has been beaten by an absolute freak (Well Written), it is great form.

“We are very stoked to be on the ride with the wonderful ownership group. The discussions with the team were fantastic; they were so great to deal with.

“Brent and Wendy Cooper (Social Racing) are just fantastic friends and wonderful people in their own right, and Graham and Rogan, you don’t get much better in terms of conditioners of a horse."

The Barneswood Brady Nakhle partnership learned a thing or two from the first edition of The NZB Kiwi, waiting to within weeks of the race before confirming their representative, and they were intent on not letting the pressure mount in their second foray into the race.

“We put the pressure on ourselves (earlier this year),” Nakhle said. “We didn’t leave ourselves much runway, and with the wide draw, it didn’t quite pan out, but it was a great experience.

“This time, it almost feels like the pressure is off, we can sit back now. To a certain degree, our work is done, and we will just leave it to the experts and Lolla now."

Nakhle saw Lollapalooza in the flesh on Friday at Matamata, where she was beaten by his Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) in their 1100m Group and Listed trial, and he was pleased with what he saw.

“She looks an absolute treat and is a credit to the team,” he said. “It was nice to see her having that pipe opener and I am sure Graham will have her primed up for when she steps out on raceday.

“Fingers-crossed she can be there in the finish."

Bred by Don Pye & Dame Wendy Pye, Lollapalooza is by El Roca and out of Group Three-winning Showcasing mare Carnival (NZ).

She was offered through New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka 2024 Book 2 Sale under Haunui Farm’s draft, where she was purchased by Richardson Racing Stables and Social Racing for $30,000.

She has proven to be a bargain buy, going on to win one and place in four of her seven starts to date, including victory in the $150,000 Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) and runner-up performances in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas and $150,000 Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (1400m), earning just shy of $250,000. 

View more information about the 2026 NZB Kiwi here. - New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing