Natuzzi and The Diamond One shared the top honours at an awards night at Wingatui on Saturday, after the voters could not split them.
Natuzzi's record included wins in the listed Lightning Handicap at Trentham and an open handicap win at Caulfield in April, along with a second placing in the group 1 Telegraph in January.
The Diamond One's five victories included a win in the group 3 White Robe Lodge Handicap and the listed Hazlett Stakes, both at Wingatui.
Natuzzi's trainer Paul Richards said Natuzzi did a ''good job'' last season, but it could have been even better with a bit more luck in group races.
''I was really proud of what he did and hopefully this season he can put his foot in that group 1 till,'' Richards said.
''He'll run first up in the Stewards on the middle day at Riccarton [November 12], then he'll run at the Waikato meeting in December and straight into the Telegraph. I'm not going to concentrate on the Railway this year.
''The Telegraph will be his main summer aim - set weights and penalties which means he'll get in well at the handicaps.
"After that, all going well, he'll probably progress to the Waikato Sprint.''
Richards' decision to focus on the Telegraph rather than the Railway makes sense when looking at his Trentham record.
Natuzzi's three starts at Trentham have produced two Lightning Handicap wins and a second in this year's Telegraph.
''He's got a bit of a love affair with Wellington. It does seem to suit him and Riccarton suits him down the chute there.''
Natuzzi was desperately unlucky in the Stewards Stakes last year, getting knocked over with 350m to go before flying over the last furlong to just miss catching Durham Town.
Whether he also has The Diamond One to contend with in the Stewards this year is still up for debate, The Diamond One's trainer Steven Anderton said.
''We're tossing up whether we go to the Stewards or the Valachi.
"She'll come in to the Stewards at 54.5kg but we're probably leaning towards the fillies and mares' race [the Valachi Downs].
''That would mean she would have a run beforehand - I may take her to Ashburton [on October 18].''
The Diamond One's first crack at the big time pleased Anderton and her owners, the Dennis brothers of Woodlands, near Invercargill.
''I was really happy with her efforts. She came down pretty good and hopefully she can go on with it.''
Anderton is still considering her post-New Zealand Cup week plans.
''We'll get Cup Week over with. It'll give me some idea of where we're going.''
The awards were shared between three stables.
Five awards went to White Robe Lodge representatives, two to connections linked to Richards' stable, and three to Steven Anderton's Wingatui stable.
Otago racing
The awards
3yr-old: Include.
Sprinter/miler: Natuzzi.
Stayer: The Solitaire.
Jumper: High Forty.
Jockey: Courtney Barnes.
Trainer strike rate: Steven Anderton.
Trainers: Brian and Shane Anderton.
Owners: Bill and Sandra Duell.
Breeders: Brian and Lorraine Anderton.
Horse of the year: Natuzzi and The Diamond One.
