Zabmanzor vindicates trainers’ top rating

Media Release - Thursday November 30

Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood were far from surprised that Zabmanzor bridged the significant gap from maiden company to black type success with such aplomb at Otaki.

Zabmanzor winning at Otaki.  Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

They have held Almanzor’s son in high regard for some time and the three-year-old showed exactly why with an effortless victory in Thursday’s Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes (1600m).

At his previous appearance, Zabmanzor had delivered a breakthrough win at Tauranga earlier this month at his third outing.

“He’s a very, very good horse and we’ve really liked him from day one,” Wellwood said.

“He first went to the races having only had one trial, so he’s learned as he’s gone along.

“He’s still got to learn to get into a rhythm, but once he got going today he put them away pretty quickly.”

Zabmanzor was a shade slow to break from the barrier and settled third last before rider Masa Hashizume urged him around runners across the top and he lengthened stride impressively in the straight to romp home by four lengths.

Charmer made ground from the back to finish runner-up ahead of Chantilly Lace, the favourite Geriatrix ran fourth after looking to have his chance, while Antrim Coast was next to cross the line after racing three wide without cover.

Zabmanzor holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham in January and his immediate future will become clearer in the coming days.

Advertisement

“There are a lot of options ahead, but we will get him home and see how he does before we make a plan,” Wellwood said.

Zabmanzor is a son of the Savabeel mare Zaborei and is raced by his patient Auckland-based breeders John and Di Struthers.

“They purchased the mother at Karaka (for $460,000), but she had a number of feet issues and unfortunately never raced,” Wellwood said.

“This is her second foal and he looks to be a top one, they deserve it and have been with the stable for a long time and had a share in He’s Remarkable.”

By Pentire, He’s Remarkable won six races including the Gr.3 Newmarket Handicap (1400m) and was runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and third in the Gr.1 Spring Classic (2040m).

He also won the Gr.1 Railway Stakes at Ascot, Perth, only to be controversially relegated to second.

Zabmanzor completed a good afternoon at Otaki for the James and Wellwood stable, who had earlier celebrated victory in the UZA Bus Handicap (1300m) with Pizzazz, a Vadamos mare ridden by Hashizume and also part-owned by John Struthers.

NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes Gr3 1600m

Otaki Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:34.41
1
Zabmanzor
- 3c Almanzor (FR) x Zaborei (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: M Hashizume 57
2
4
Charmer
- 3f Charm Spirit (IRE) x Mangaroa Fire (NZ) (Mastercraftsman (IRE))
Tnr: Ben & Ryan Foote Rdr: C R Barnes 55
3
6
Chantilly Lace
- 3f U S Navy Flag (USA) x On The Move (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: R T Elliot 55.5
4
6.2
Geriatrix
- 3c Almanzor (FR) x Its Our Showtime (NZ) (Showcasing (GB))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: W B Kennedy 57
5
6.7
Antrim Coast
- 3g Roc De Cambes (NZ) x Coasting (NZ) (Sakhee's Secret (GB))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: Joe Doyle 57
6
7.2
Khanshe
- 3f Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Folies Bergere (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: F J Auret Rdr: L J Allpress 55
7
13
Rule Of Law
- 3g Justify (USA) x Repeat (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: J Parkes 57
8
14.8
Up The Anti
- 3c Divine Prophet (AUS) x Bisou Bisou (AUS) (Shaft (AUS))
Tnr: J Benner & H Wynyard Rdr: M Cameron 57
9
15
Sleight Of Hand
- 3g He's Remarkable (NZ) x Party Tricks (AUS) (Stromberg Carlson (AUS))
Tnr: J G Bary Rdr: J K Riddell 57
More Reading...
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).