Another Zed Mare Chasing Cup Glory

Media Release - Saturday November 7

In-form stayer Robusto underlined her chances for next week’s Group III Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup (3200m) when she proved too good for her rivals in the Listed Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (2500m), the traditional lead-up event to the two-mile carnival feature.

Just ninety minutes after trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman collected the trophy for the feature event on the programme, the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), with unbeaten there-year-old Aegon, they were back in the winner’s enclosure with the Zed six-year-old.

Matt Cameron urges Robusto to the finish at Riccarton Photo Credit: Race Images South

Despite boasting some impressive form that included two wins from her last four starts, punters let the northern visitor under their guard, starting at double figure odds ($10) with rider Matt Cameron aboard.

Cameron made light work of a tricky barrier draw, having Robusto neatly placed in behind the pace throughout, before taking control of the race outside the speed with 1200m to run.

Cameron gave the mare her head at the top of the long Riccarton straight and she showed plenty of fight to comfortably repel the challenges of topweight Who Dares Wins and fellow Cambridge raiders The Good Fight and Lincoln Raider to win by a neat length.

“It was a different kettle of fish for her today as it was a big field of promising stayers on a big roomy track,” Andrew Forsman said.

“She did it really well, was strong through the line and I thought she looked the winner a long way out.

“She will back-up in the New Zealand Cup now as she is a good doer and has really matured in this preparation.

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“Just the way she handled herself today, she was really relaxed and is turning into a real racehorse.

“She’s a stakes winner now and a very valuable breeding proposition.”

The 13th stakes-winner for Zed, Robusto is raced by her breeders, John, Mark and Rachel Carter, under their Jomara Bloodstock banner and is the older sister of Gr.2 Championship Stakes (2100m) placegetter Bobby Dee, who now races out of the Bjorn Baker stable in Sydney.

The win continues the fine run of form for stayers such as Caulfield Cup winner Verry Elleegant by Zed, a stallion in whom the Carters own equity, having raced the son of Zabeel from Murray Baker’s yard.

TAB Bookmakers have installed Robusto as the $6 equal second favourite in their Fixed Odds book for the New Zealand Cup behind favourite The Good Fight ($5).

The Baker and Forsman team also enjoyed a successful day closer to home with handy mare Pearlescence scoring over 2100m at Te Rapa. – NZ Racing Desk

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Race Result - Metropolitan Trophy LR 2500m

Riccarton Park Track: Dead(4) Time: 2:37.05
1
Robusto
- 6m Zed (NZ) x Adriatico (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: M Cameron 53
2
1.0
Who Dares Wins
- 8g Iffraaj (GB) x Wee Tipple (NZ) (Centaine (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Prendergast Rdr: J R Lowry 59
3
1.1
The Good Fight
- 6g High Chaparral (IRE) x Pravda (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: S Ritchie & C Murray Rdr: S R Weatherley 53
4
1.2
Lincoln King
- 6g Shocking (AUS) x Shi Kin Fly (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: D G Bradley 53
5
1.6
Beauty Star
- 7g Northern Meteor (AUS) x Fairytale Dancer (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: K Asano 53
6
2.4
Plushenko
- 6g Rock 'n' Pop (AUS) x Russian (USA) (Tribunal (USA))
Tnr: G & T Shaw Rdr: C K Kwo 53
7
2.5
Baby Menaka
- 6m Zed (NZ) x Menaka (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: J & K Parsons Rdr: A Comignaghi 53
8
3.3
Owen Patrick
- 6g Ocean Park (NZ) x Unplanned (NZ) (King Of Kings (IRE))
Tnr: T Charles & P Corbett Rdr: R D Beeharry 53
9
3.5
Five Princes
- 5g Red Giant (USA) x My Marguerite (NZ) (Spectacular Love (USA))
Tnr: C L Spittles Rdr: G A Jogoo 53
10
5.0
Splendior
- 7m Tavistock (NZ) x Shibboleth (NZ) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: S & M Smith Rdr: C A Campbell 53
11
5.2
Sitarist
- 6m Road To Rock (AUS) x Sita (NZ) (Bertolini (USA))
Tnr: J & K Parsons Rdr: C R Barnes 53
12
5.7
Hurry Cane
- 8g Nom Du Jeu (NZ) x Yodel (NZ) (Howbaddouwantit (USA))
Tnr: R M Connors Rdr: S J Macnab 55
13
6.8
Dee And Gee
- 7m Darci Brahma (NZ) x Gabana (NZ) (Jungle Pocket (JPN))
Tnr: T Charles & P Corbett Rdr: L T Hemi 53
14
7.7
Nomen Ludi
- 7g Nom Du Jeu (NZ) x Gladiator's Choice (NZ) (The Gladiator (NZ))
Tnr: E E Winsloe Rdr: T R Moseley 56
15
8.4
King Of The Dance
- 6g Animal Kingdom (USA) x Spirited Dancer (IRE) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Tnr: T Charles & P Corbett Rdr: Rohan Mudhoo 53
16
9.5
Asathought
- 4m So You Think (NZ) x Asavant (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Ms L Vaughan Rdr: C W Johnson 53
17
9.6
William Wallace
- 8g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Huluava (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: A M Bull Rdr: R Cuneen 54.5
18
10.3
Vainglory
- 6m Makfi (GB) x Risible (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: C W Cole Rdr: L J Allpress 53
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