Zaaki Goes Back To Back in Tramway

Mark Smith - Saturday September 3

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.

Advertisement

"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).

Advertisment

Race Result - Gpi Tramway Stakes Gr2 1400m

Randwick Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:28.17
1
Zaaki
- 8g Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) x Kesara (GB) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: J B Mc Donald 59
2
1.8
Icebath
- 6m Sacred Falls (NZ) x Fabulist (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: K Mc Evoy 53
3
2.3
Nimalee
- 6m So You Think (NZ) x Dezign (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Regan Bayliss 56
So You Think
4
3.7
Profondo
- 4h Deep Impact (JPN) x Honesty Prevails (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Richard Litt Rdr: B Avdulla 58
5
7.2
Yonkers
- 7g Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Anne Of Kiev (IRE) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: C Schofield 57
6
9.9
Converge
- 4g Frankel (GB) x Conversely (IRE) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 59
7
15.3
Character
- 4g Teofilo (IRE) x Monogram (AUS) (Medaglia D'Oro (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: S Clipperton 57.5
More Reading...
Verry Exciting Weekend Looms
New Zealand horseman Nicholas Bishara will cross the Tasman this weekend to watch his filly Belle Detelle, a three-quarter sister to his ill-fated 11-time Group One Verry Elleegant, contest the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m).
Zaaki Retired
Just days after the news of Think It Over’s retirement comes the announcement of another great warrior calling it a day with Zaaki (GB) set to begin a new chapter of his life after finding fame and fortune in Australia with Annabel Neasham.
What a Class Act - Zaaki Claims the All-Star Mile
The Anabel Neasham-trained Zaaki (GB) left few in doubt that he was the best horse in Saturday’s $5million Seppelt Wines All-Star Mile at Flemington.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Derby
It’s been 15 years since Dariana thumped the colts to win the Queensland Derby (2400m) in 2010 and maybe it’s time for another filly to triumph!
King’s Legacy Filly Wins by Three
The Lindsay Park team produced an impressive juvenile winner at Pakenham on Thursday evening with King’s Legacy filly Bella Pietra winning as she pleased.
Expensive Ghaiyyath Colt Wins Stakes
Darley shuttler Ghaiyyath (IRE) had his first Australian winner earlier this week and overnight produced a new stakes-winner in the UK where Godolphin owned colt Opera Ballo won the Listed Heron Stakes (1m)at Sandown.
Investing in Fillies Can Pay Big Dividends
We saw it earlier this month at Inglis Chairman’s Sale and we saw it again this week, purchasing yearling fillies that can perform to a high level has the potential to yield a big pay day in the sale ring, so let’s take a closer look.
Little Avondale’s Weanlings Follow Successful Footsteps
Graduates of Little Avondale Stud’s drafts at the NZB National Weanling Sale have a proud record of racetrack success, and stud principal Sam Williams believes his class of 2025 compares favourably with previous years.
Juvenile Trial Watch - Rosehill
Trials this morning at Rosehill were run on a heavy 9 so horses were well held together and not asked for too much, but there were still a couple of intriguing unraced heat winners by Extreme Choice and Justify (USA), plus we got another look at the $1.4million Wootton Bassett (GB) colt from Sunlight.
A Third Hollindale Stakes for Ten Million Dollar Earner Zaaki
Annabel Neasham's magnificent Zaaki (GB) returned triumphantly to the Sunshine Coast on Saturday to earn his third consecutive win in the $500,000 Group II Tab A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m).