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British-bred gelding adds fourth stakes victory to record in Group 2.
British-bred Zaaki (6 g Leroidesanimaux - Kesara by Sadler's Wells) announced himself as a legitimate Doomben Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) contender when he obliterated his rivals in the high-quality edition of the AD Hollindale Stakes (Gr 2, 1800m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday, his first victory in Australia and fourth at stakes level.
The Annabel Neasham-trained son of late former shuttler Leroidesanimaux (Candy Stripes) finished an unlucky sixth on his first start in the Doncaster Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) on April 10 and narrowly missed out on his first victory in Australia when finishing a close second in the Japan Racing Association Plate (Gr 3, 2000m) on April 24.
However, there was no mistaking his talent on Saturday, with jockey McDonald settled Zaaki behind the leaders before edging out into the better ground around the turn, putting paid to his rivals with a devastating turn of foot, eventually drawing clear to beat Fifty Stars (Sea The Stars) by two and a half lengths Shared Ambition (Born To Sea) was another neck away in third.
Multiple Group 1-winning mare Melody Belle (Commands) finished a disappointing tenth.
Before arriving in Australia, Zaaki 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).
In winning the race, the gelding beat seven individual Group 1 winners and he will be given the chance to grab his own Group 1 when he lines up in the Doomben Cup in two weeks' time.
"He's been feeling so well, he nearly bucked me off in the trotting ring this morning," Neasham said.
"The most exciting thing about him is that Michael Stoute trained him in England and his team was adamant that he is much better on firm ground and they said he doesn't really like soft ground.
"Hopefully the Doomben Cup, if we get firm ground, we will get an even better performance.
"He's just got so much X-factor and presence and he's just so classy."
Purchased by Blandford Bloodstock's Stuart Boman for 150,000gns at last year's Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale, 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).
This is the second stakes win in Australia in a week for the late Lanwades Stud-based sire Leroidesanimaux with Zaaki following up Le Don De Vie's victory Thursday's Warrnambool Cup (Listed, 2350m).
Zaaki is one of 25 stakes winners for Leroidesanimaux (Candy Stripes) and they are headed by two Group 1 winners, including former Arrowfield Stud shuttler Animal Kingdom. The stallion died in 2016.
