G1 Possible Goal for Le Zebra (NZ)

Tara Madgwick - Saturday May 20

Smart two-year-old Le Zebra will be considered for a tilt at the Gr.1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 10 after another strong on-speed metropolitan victory when scoring over 1400m at Flemington on Saturday.

Prepared by Emma-Lee and David Browne, the son of Rip Van Winkle had previously prevailed over 1300m at Sandown on May 6 and the Brownes will now consider a trip north.

Le Zebra records his second career success with a front-running effort at Flemington Photo: Bruno Cannatelli

"We'll possibly put him away, possibly, but we might look at going to Queensland," David Browne said.

"I think he's earned a path there if we want to go there, but we'll just make sure he comes through it alright."

Le Zebra ($4.40) took his record to two wins from four starts with his one-length all-the-way victory over Mojave Desert ($9). Stellar Mofeed ($14) was three-quarters-of-a-length away in third.

The handsome grey has appreciated the step up in distance from two starts over 1200m to start his career and Browne is confident the gelding’s best will be seen over further.

"We think he's a pretty tidy horse because he's going to get over a bit more ground too, which is going to be perfect for him," he said.

"There is a lot more in store for him because we haven't really got into him properly yet. We've just let him do it naturally.

“It always helps if you can go forward. It takes a lot of bad luck out of the equation.”

Le Zebra is out of the My Halo mare Angel Del Dinero, who herself was a winner and finished second in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.

Advertisement

Le Zebra is the fourth winner from five foals to race out of Angel Del Dinero, who is also the dam of the Brownes’ four-race winner Bifrost, a son of Turn Me Loose.

The Brownes bought Bifrost for $40,000 at Karaka 2020, followed by the $60,000 purchase of his half-brother Le Zebra two years later.

Adding to their investment in the family, the Brownes went online for the 17 April auction on gavelhouse.com and secured Angel Del Dinero for $26,000.

“He is actually the third member of the family we have bought and he is probably the best type, so we thought we better not miss out,” Browne said. “We’re pretty happy.”

Le Zebra was rated to perfection by Blake Shinn, who rode Le Zebra on debut when fourth to Amur at The Valley in January, then took over from Mark Zahra, who was aboard for the Sandown win, and was taken with his professionalism.

“Physically he is quite an advanced two-year-old. He was that type back then in January. But full credit to Emma-Lee and David. They have targeted this time of year," Shinn said.

“He is a horse that handles wet ground and you can take advantage of great prizemoney in town when the fields fall away. He has got good talent and he has capitalised on that.

"He's just an unphased, uncomplicated horse with good talent and well done to them.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Jockey Appreciation Plate 1400m

Flemington Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:25.76
1
Le Zebra
- 2g Rip Van Winkle (IRE) x Angel Del Dinero (NZ) (My Halo (ARG))
Tnr: E & D Browne Rdr: B Shinn 58.5
2
1.0
Mojave Desert
- 2c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Fine Bubbles (AUS) (Casino Prince (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Zac Spain 57
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $260,000
Seller: Springmount, Romsey
Buyer: Sustainable Thoroughbred Breeding Trust
3
1.8
Stellar Mofeed
- 2f Akeed Mofeed (GB) x X Star (USA) (Pulpit (USA))
Tnr: K L Corstens Rdr: J Noonan 55
4
2.2
El Poder Del Sol
- 2c Almanzor (FR) x She Is Stryking (AUS) (Stryker (AUS))
Tnr: Liam Howley Rdr: J Maskiell 57
5
3.0
Victory Command
- 2c Pierro (AUS) x Subatomic (GB) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: B Higgins 57
6
3.2
Hydrogen Power
- 2c The Autumn Sun (AUS) x Madam Tracy (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Beau Mertens 57
7
3.3
Riff Rocket
- 2g American Pharoah (USA) x Missile Coda (AUS) (Smart Missile (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Jye McNeil 57
8
4.3
Gates
- 2c Frankel (GB) x Bellwether (GB) (Three Valleys (USA))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: Ms L J Meech 57
9
4.7
Written By You
- 2g Written By (AUS) x She Thinks So (AUS) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: Simon Zahra Rdr: H Coffey 57
More Reading...
Kiwi Bred Le Zebra Scores at Flemington
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Le Zebra turned his form around in style at Flemington on Saturday with a runaway victory in the A$150,000 VRC Member Michael Murphy Trophy (1700m).
Capitalist 2YO Wins for Doyle
Nathan Doyle and his team would be bubbling with excitement surrounding the return of their unbeaten G1 star Private Harry, but as they say ‘little fish are sweet’ and the stable were in the winner’s circle at Wyong on Tuesday with a two year-old son of Capitalist.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 25
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Wyong
The juvenile maiden at Wyong on Tuesday had some interesting runners including the highest price yearling by Maurice (Jpn) sold in 2024 and he did take the win, but it was not without drama.
Raging Force Bolts in at Randwick
Cosmic Force 2YO Raging Force was sent around in the Group III ATC Breeder’s Plate on debut last spring finishing sixth to King Kirk and coming out of the race with an injury, but time and a patient approach has put his career back on track.
Storm Boy Retired to Coolmore Australia
An utterly dominant winner of the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the hugely exciting son of the international sire sensation Justify is set to join the Coolmore Australia roster in 2025.
Tassort Filly Too Classy at Randwick
Stakes-placed two starts back in the Listed Woodlands Stud Stakes at Scone, talented 2YO Tassort filly Wollzeile proved too classy at Randwick on Wednesday.
Positive Build Up to Karaka Weanling Sale
Stars of the future go under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday with New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale set to commence at 10am.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 24
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Nice 2YO Winner for Vinery Value Sire
He might be the least expensive sire on the Vinery roster this spring at a fee of just $6,600, but Headwater gets his share of winners and produced a new two year-old winner at Doomben on Wednesday.