KRIS Lees says Zaphod will be a “worthwhile stayer in time”, and is looking forward to resuming him at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The lightly-raced import begins his second preparation in Australia in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1800m), and Jason Collett has the mount.
Zaphod is a “veteran” of only five starts; the former Irish gelding winning two of his three outings for his new trainer at his first local campaign, and was rested after taking a Class 3 Plate (1800m) at a Sunshine Coast Saturday metropolitan meeting on August 10.
“Though he is classed as a four-year-old by our time, he is a three-year-old by his birth date,” the leading Newcastle trainer said on Friday morning.
“That’s why we haven’t rushed him.
“He is coming up nicely, and has a good wet track profile should the forecast rain for Sydney eventuate.
“I’m sure Zaphod is going to be a worthwhile stayer in time, and he’s ready to run well first-up over a suitable distance.”
Zaphod, who races in the Australian Bloodstock colours, began his career in Ireland, romping home in a 2YO Maiden Plate (1810m) at Tipperary on October 1 last year.
He then ran third, again on heavy ground, in the set weights Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes (1810m) at Leopardstown 20 days later.
Zaphod won first-up for his new connections at Scone on July 2 in a Class 1/Maiden Plate (1700m) on heavy ground.
He easily beat stablemate and Group 1 two-year-old placegetter Pier Pressure, who lines up at Canterbury tonight.
Stable apprentice Ben Osmond rides both Pier Pressure in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1550m), and Powerful Peg in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1250m).
“Ben is going really well, and riding with confidence,” Lees said.
“Pier Pressure got back into winning form against weaker opposition at Scone over 1600m on November 19, and has done well since,” Lees said.
“She has drawn nicely at Canterbury, and Ben’s 3kg claim brings her weight back to 56kg.
“Powerful Peg has drawn awkwardly, and needs to get across to overcome that.
“If Ben can do that on her, I feel she can run well, again with nice weight relief.”
Lees’ other Canterbury runner is Fulfilled, to be ridden by Hawkesbury apprentice Zac Wadick, in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1900m).
“He hasn’t raced since early August and appears to be coming up nicely, but will take good improvement from this run,” Lees said.
Rogue Bear (Andrew Mallyon) is the stable’s sole representative in an Open Handicap (2030m) at Saturday’s Doomben meeting, where the track is rain-affected following further rain on Thursday night.
Rogue Bear has gone back north following his third in a Benchmark 88 Handicap (1850m) at The Hunter meeting at Newcastle on November 16, and Lees has decided to take blinkers off him.
“He is racing well and likes Doomben, where he won a Benchmark 90 Handicap over a similar distance in late July,” Lees said.
“The soft track won’t worry him at all.”
Story John Curtis, November 29, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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