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First of the WFA features in New Zealand for the Spring is the Hawke’s Bay Challenge Stakes (Tarzino Trophy) run at Hastings on Saturday.

Callsign Mav won at huge odds last year. Could that happen again in the 2021 Hawke's Bay Challenge Stakes (Tarzino Trophy) (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday?

2021 HAWKE'S BAY CHALLENGE STAKES (TARZINO TROPHY) - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Hawke's Bay Challenge Stakes is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for sprinters at Hastings race course conducted by the Hawke's Bay Racing.

The Hawke's Bay Challenge Stakes is run over 1400m.

The Hawke's Bay Challenge Stakes has had several names but is currently run as the Tarzino Trophy.

This race is the opening G1 of the Spring trilogy of races at Hastings. The Windsor Park Plate and the Spring Classic follow.

It is also the first major race of the season in New Zealand. The race was delayed until September in 2020 due to the impact of the coronavirus.

Ocean Park won the race first up before embarking on his Cox Plate campaign in Australia.

Sunline and Starcraft ran well in Cox Plates following victories at Hastings while other top kiwi WFA performers Surfers Paradise, Rough Habit and Poetic Prince saluted.

Melody Belle made it back to back wins in the race in 2019 and took her record to seven G1 wins at the time. She would double that by the end of her career.

Hawke's Bay Challenge Stakes was worth NZ$220,000 in 2021.

Notable winners of Hawke's Bay Challenge Stakes include Melody Belle (2018/2019), Kawi (2015/2016), Ocean Park (2012), Mufhasa (2011), Tavistock (2009), Seachange (2006/2007), Xcellent (2005), Starcraft (2004), Miss Potential (2003), Sunline (2002), Fritz (2001), Cent Home (2000), Vialli (1996), Snap (1994), Surfers Paradise (1992), Rough Habit (1991) and Poetic Prince (1988).

The 2020 Hawke's Bay Challenge Stakes was won by Callsign Mav from Supera and Avantage.