Zanbagh too tough in Tibbie Stakes

Tom Baddock - Friday September 15

John Thompson's top mare Zanbagh produced a courageous effort to take out the Group III Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle on Friday.

Advertisement
Zanbagh proved too good in the Group III Tibbie Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart

The daughter of Bernadini had the odds stacked against her despite the booking of Hugh Bowman after drawing the extreme outside barrier and being forced lump the topweight of 58.5kg.

The seven-year-old jumped cleanly from the awkward draw and Bowman elected to slide forward to look for some cover however, he was caught out on a limb three-wide without cover.

Bowman got Zanbagh into a good rhythm in third, just behind the speed set by Bjorn Baker's pair of Imposing Lass and Lubiton.

Coming to the furlong Bowman was hard at work and a wall of horses were descending on the leaders but Zanbagh ($16) dug deep inside the final 50m to draw clear by half a length for a tough win over Ron Leemon's Perfect Rhyme ($17) with a further half-length back to the Kim Waugh-trained Hetty Heights ($31).

"She's a great mare," Thompson said.

"She's consistent and she was probably the class horse of the field when Kris' mare came out.

"She had a good horses weight and barrier 18 but she had Hugh Bowman on her back."

Hugh Bowman was quietly confident coming into the race.

"I gave her a pretty good chance because I finished close to her on McCreery in the Tramway, the race wasn't run to suit us last start and she finished just beside me," Bowman said.

"It was an awkward draw and she had to do all the work herself but she is a very well-performed mare and I thought she was well placed here today."

Thompson has indicated that Zanbagh would now target the Group I Epsom Handicap on September 30.

Zanbagh forges clear for Hugh Bowman in the Group III Tibbie Stakes
Advertisment
More Reading...
Godolphin Again - Unbeaten Desert Flower Wins Newmarket 1000 Guineas
The stars continue to align for Sheikh Mohammed with the Godolphin blue again in the winner’s circle in the UK overnight with undefeated filly Desert Flower taking out the Group I Newmarket 1000 Guineas (1m).
One to Watch – Sale
Reigning Australian Horse of the Year Pride of Jenni was not the only ‘Jenni’ making a trip to the winner’s circle this weekend.
FBAA Mentorship Program - Successful Applicants Announced
The FBAA is excited to announce the selection of two mentees to participate in the second annual FBAA Mentorship Program commencing 19th May 2025.
Kentucky Derby Triumph for Godolphin
Sheikh Mohammed’s revered Godolphin racing and breeding operation have won Derbies all over the world, but until today the Kentucky Derby had proven elusive, but a three year-old colt called Sovereignty changed all that at Churchill Downs before a crowd in excess of 150,000.
Sires With Winners - Sunday May 4
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Newgate to Offer Femminile at MM National
The month's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast received an incredible update when rising staying star Femminile won the Group One SA Derby (2500m) at Morphettville yesterday.
Twin Hills Weanling Draft Showcases Daumier and Peltzer
Olly and Amber Tait’s Twin Hills Stud at Cootamundra is home to a couple of young fledgling sires in G1 Blue Diamond winner Daumier and Peltzer, who recently had his first winner and their draft for the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale starting on Monday has a good representation for both young stallions.
Raining Black Type at Geisel Park
Geisel Park and its Group 1 racehorse and sire Manhattan Rain are poised to launch another winning wave in Group company at home and on the road with their fillies and mares in May.
I Am Invincible Sprinter wins $1million Archer - Inglis Graduates Trifecta
A weekend that dreams are made of for Neil Jenkinson was today capped off with Easter yearling Lubrication (I Am Invincible) winning the $1m The Archer at Rockhampton.
New HK Stakes-Winner Shamus Award
John Size and Zac Purton combined to win the Group III The Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday with up and coming stayer Bundle Award.