Annabel Neasham admitted that right up until they jumped in Saturday's $250,000 Group II GPI Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, she was unsure whether she made the right decision in running Zaaki (GB).
Great way to kick off a new campaign (image Steve Hart)
There was little worry from then on. James McDonald made all the running on the triple Group 1 winner on a deteriorating track.
Under a hand ride, Zaaki defeated the fast-finishing Icebath by one and a quarter lengths, which was the 11th stakes-placing for the 6yo daughter of Sacred Falls.
The So You Think mare Nimalee was a half-length back in third.
"The forecast didn't look too bad. We had him in the Feehan (Stakes in Melbourne) just in case," Neasham admitted.
"He had to start somewhere, and I said to James (McDonald), just look after him, and the way the race slightly fell away in terms of numbers, it probably took a bit of pressure out of the race.
"I remember saying before the Queen Elizabeth they (former connections) said he didn't like the wet ground. I think we got a bit of confidence that day that he is pretty versatile, and he has won quite softly in the end.
"It was going through my mind (if it was the right decision to run) until the gates opened. But he's very forward, I know he's first-up, and he will improve from this. But he's a strong traveller and horses who travel strongly on the bridle as he does, it does help them get through the ground—so good job and onwards and upwards.
"I'd like to run him in the George Main, but that's a tough run first-up on that track, so we'll see how he comes through and work it out next week."
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) advances his record to 13 wins five seconds seven thirds from 36 starts with earnings of $7,463,357.
The son of Leroidesanimaux was a 40,000gns purchase by Ahmad Alotaibi out of the Staffordstown draft at the 2016 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
Bred by Lanwades Stud as was Wyong Gold Cup winner Dursdon (GB), 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-placed Kirks Ryker (Selkirk), he is the best of six winners from nine to race out of the Sadler's Wells mare Kesara, a half-sister to the dual Listed stakes-winner Persona Grata (Sir Percy).
