First Australian Winner for Zarak

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday July 2

On a day when Aga Khan Studs announced their champion sire Siyouni would be available for Southern Hemisphere covers another of their up and coming sires Zarak, posted his first Australian winner and he saluted in some very well known colours.

Zaphod opens his account at his first Australian start - image Scone Race Club Twitter

Australian Bloodstock are very good at sniffing out under the radar tried horses from Europe as well as some obvious high profile ones like Gold Trip (Fr) and they featured with a lightly raced maiden winner at Scone on Tuesday when the Kris Lees trained three year-old Zaphod (IRE) won his first start in Australia over 1700m.

He started twice in Ireland last year for a debut win at Tipperary and then was third in the Group III Eyrefield Stakes (1m1f) behind a couple of Aidan O’Brien trained colts before finding his way to Australia.

He enjoyed the heavy track at Scone and forged clear at the finish in the manner of a horse likely to win a lot more staying races in this country.

Advertisement

Zaphod is the second winner from Pocket of Stars, a placed half-sister by Sea the Stars to Group I winner Silver Frost and Group II winner Spiritjim.

By champion sire Dubawi from champion racemare Zarkava, Group I winning Zarak is very much a young sire on the rise in Europe with his fee this year climbing to €60,000. With his oldest progeny just turned five, he has sired 20 SW’s including this year’s French 2000 Guineas winner Metropolitan and runs at 10% SW to runner.

Advertisment

Race Result - Temperature Control Central Coast Plate (C1) 1700m

Scone Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:45.03
1
Zaphod
- 3g Zarak (FR) x Pocket Of Stars (IRE) (Sea The Stars (IRE))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 57.5
2
2.5
Pier Pressure
- 3f Press Statement (AUS) x Perissa (AUS) (Pierro (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: A Gibbons 55.5
3
6.6
Fernao
- 5g Frankel (GB) x Macheera (IRE) (Machiavellian (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: A B Collett 59
4
9.9
Bob
- 6g Pierro (AUS) x Bobine (USA) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: Ms K Gavenlock Rdr: Mitchell Bell 59
5
10.1
Flyball
- 3g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Tragic Moment (USA) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: S Farley Rdr: Mitch Stapleford 54.5
6
12.8
Arpels
- 4m Dundeel (NZ) x Simply Brilliant (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: R P Northam Rdr: Reece Jones 57
7
14.2
Uninsurabal
- 6m Al Maher (AUS) x Crash'm (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Ms K Owen Rdr: Madeline Owen 52
8
36.5
Carry On Flying
- 5g Flying Artie (AUS) x Carry On Cutie (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Luke A Thomas Rdr: J Pracey-Holmes 59
More Reading...
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.