The Annabel Neasham-trained Zaaki (GB) took up where he left off with a bloodless win in Saturday's Group II Fujitsu General Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Fresh off a Brisbane campaign where he won the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) and the 1,200,000 Group II Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm, the 7yo son of Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) barely broke sweat under James McDonald.
Under a stranglehold to take the lead at the 300m, Zaaki (GB) was throttled down to defeat the fast-finishing Aramayo (Poet's Voice) by one and a half lengths with Star Of The Seas (Ocean Park) a length and a quarter back in third.
Zaaki (GB) advanced his record to eight three five from 27 starts with earnings of $1,982,357.
Neasham admitted that she was feeling the pressure.
"It’s a bit of a relief to tell you the truth, Neasham said.
“I knew he was going well leading into this but just wondered whether 14(00m) would be a bit short of his best.
“He’s got plenty of improvement left in him, so he should be in for a really exciting campaign.
“Just the last couple of weeks, I’ve really noticed the change in him. He has a couple of little quirks, but on the whole, he is quite straightforward. The fresher he gets the better he is, and I’ve seen that side of him over the last couple of weeks.
“We go to a mile, or we go to 1800m in the Underwood. We will see how he pulls up and work that out next week.
“We have a few logistics to work out if he is to go down to Melbourne. He will certainly have one run down there before the Cox Plate. Whether he has two, we will let the dust settle and see how he comes through.
“He will be hard to beat wherever he goes.”
Winner of the Group III York Strensall Stakes at York, Group III Diomed Stakes at Epsom and the Listed Paradise Stakes at Ascot when trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Zaaki (GB) was a 40,000gns purchase by Ahmad Alotaibi out of the Staffordstown draft at the 2016 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
Zaaki (GB) was bought by Blandford Bloodstock / Annabel Neasham Racing for 150,000gns out of the Freemason Lodge Stables draft at the 2020 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale.
A half-brother to stakes-paced Kirks Ryker (Selkirk), the Kirsten Rausing-bred Zaaki (GB) is the best of six winners from eight to race out of the Sadler's Wells mare Kesara, a half-sister to the dual Listed stakes-winner Persona Grata (Sir Percy).
