3 minute read
British-bred son of Leroidesanimaux hands his sire his third elite level winner
A new star emerged at Doomben on Saturday afternoon in the form of the Annabel Neasham-trained British import Zaaki (6 g ex Kesara by Sadler's Wells), who demolished his rivals in the Doomben Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) and in the process handed his late Lanwades Stud-based sire Leroidesanimaux (Candy Stripes) with his third top-flight winner winner.
Zaaki announced himself as a horse to follow when he produced an equally impressive performance in the AD Hollindale Stakes (Gr 2, 1800m) on May 8, having finished second in the Japan Racing Association Plate (Gr 3, 2000m) on April 24, while the gelding ran sixth in the Doncaster Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m) on his first start in Australia.
After jumping smartly from the barriers, James McDonald placed Zaaki in second behind leader Brandenburg (Burgundy). As the field rounded the turn, Zaaki moved to the lead and put the race to bed in a matter of strides, surging clear to beat Toffee Tongue (Tavistock) by seven lengths, while Brandenburg finished two and a quarter lengths away in third. The winning time was 2:01.06 and the final 600 metres was run in a time of 35.64.
The win caps a stellar few months for young trainer Annabel Neasham who picked up her first Group 1 with Mo'unga (Savabeel) in the Rosehill Guineas (Gr 1, 2000m) in March and she said Zaaki would now be aimed at the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m).
"Wow, that was amazing," said Neasham.
"The Hollindale was easy to watch. I was stood with Carl Holt (part-owner) at the 300 (metres) and I said 'don't get excited yet', and then we got to the furlong and I said 'I think we're alright here'.
"I was bullish going into the Doncaster. I knew he was a very good horse and he just hasn't taken a backward step. He's run the 2000 pretty easily and we can't wait for the Cox Plate."
Neasham had placed full confidence in McDonald's race tactics and left the job up to the in-form jockey.
"He (McDonald) was very confident. He said 'just leave it up to me. I'll get him in the right spot. We won't overcomplicate things," said Neasham.
"We didn't pay a whole lot for him. He was a little bit older, we took a chance to fit the budget. Big credit to him, he looks a proper Group 1 horse.
"He's run the 2000 metres pretty easily. I can't wait for the Cox Plate."
Zaaki landed in Australia with strong credentials, having won four races for Sir Michael Stoute headed by victories in the Diomed Stakes (Gr 3, 1m½f), Strensall Stakes (Gr 3, 1m½f) and Paradise Stakes (Listed, 1m) and also finished second in the Summer Mile Stakes (Gr 2, 1m).
The gelding was purchased by Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman for 150,000gns at last year’s Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale and Boman was quick to heap praise on the young trainer.
“All credit must go to Annabel and her team - they have done a fantastic job with him. He could not have taken to Australian racing any better and we could not have dreamed of this when we bought him,” said Boman to Racing and Sports.
“I worked with Annabel on purchasing European horses when she worked for Ciaron Maher. She contacted me when she took out her license and was keen to source some European horses. He was our pick of the sale and we only vetted one horse.
“We have set ourselves a very high standard!”
Bred by Kirsten Rausing, Zaaki has now won six of his 25 career starts and placed in a further nine for career earnings of $1,182,831.
The gelding is one of five winners out of winning Sadler’s Wells (Northern Dancer) mare Kesara, making him a half-brother to Listed-placed Kirks Ryker (Selkirk).
Kesara herself is half-sister to dual Listed winner Persona Grate (Sir Percy), while further back this is the same family as dual Italian Group 1 winner Altieri (Selkirk) and Japanese Listed winner Yamanin Whisker (Manhattan Cafe).
Zaaki is one of 25 stakes winners for Leroidesanimaux and joins Una Cabeza and former Arrowfield Stud shuttler Animal Kingdom as the stallion’s other top-flight winners. The stallion died in 2016.
Multiple Group 1 winner Melody Belle (Commands) finished fifth and will sell as Lot 510 through the Blue Sky Premium Consignment at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on Tuesday.
Sir Dragonet (Camelot) performed below expectations and underwent veterinary examination and was exhibiting a post-race cough, while All-Star Mile (1600m) winner Mugatoo (Henrythenavigator) also performed below expectations and underwent a post-race veterinary examination. He was found to be lame in its off fore and trainer Kris Lees was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to resuming.
The James Cummings-trained Avilius (Pivotal), after arriving back at his stable, was found to have blood evident in both nostrils. His trainer was advised that the European import would be stood down from racing for three months and would also be required to gallop over 1000 metres in the presence of a steward prior to resuming.
