Waitak holds off Tuxedo to defend Howden Insurance Mile title

Waitak defended his Group 1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) title at Hastings on Saturday, edging Tuxedo by a short head. She’s A Dealer was another half-neck away in third, giving the seven-year-old Proisir gelding his fourth Group 1 win.

Craig Grylls settled Waitak sixth on the rail from barrier two as El Vencedor led. Tuxedo, ridden by Opie Bosson, came around the field from the rear with 700m to run. Grylls brought Waitak off the rail in the straight, and the three placegetters hit the lead at the 300m before Waitak prevailed.

Co-trainer Andrew Scott told LOVERACING.NZ that Waitak had been finishing strongly last season but was often too far back after missing the start.

“Today he stepped away nicely and was in striking distance which made all the difference,” Scott said. “He is such a wonderful racehorse, keeps coming back and he is our champion.”

Grylls said Waitak had got a bit fierce in the middle stages, but was travelling well when room opened in the straight.

“He was tough and wouldn’t lie down,” Grylls said.

Waitak won the 2025 edition at Te Rapa. This year’s renewal was held at Hastings, where riders tested the renovated turf in August.

Trained by Scott and Lance O’Sullivan, Waitak was bred by the late Colin Devine and is raced by his widow, Jill. He has nine wins and 11 placings from 40 starts, earning $2,026,987 in stakes. Rich Hill Stud’s Proisir also sired Saturday’s Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) winner Old Fashioned.

Scott plans to return Waitak to Hastings for the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) on October 10. Waitak won that race last year.