Zed Shows his Versatility

Media Release - Monday April 8

New Zealand jumper Zed Em created history when winning the A$100,000 Von Doussa Steeplechase (3250m) at Oakbank in South Australia on Sunday in the hands of Steve Pateman.

Zed Em - image Darryl ShererThe Patrick Payne-trained son of Zed became just the second horse in the race's rich history to win it on three successive occasions.

It was a dominant display by the odds-on favourite and Pateman believes the jumper, who was prepared by Kevin Myers in New Zealand, may be an even better horse in 2019 as an eight-year-old.

"He's even better this year,'' Pateman told the Adelaide Advertiser .

"The big thing was he just relaxed beautifully in the run.

"He put himself in the box seat and travelled perfectly.''

Zed Em settled just behind the race leader Zataglio, with Pateman opting to race outside the leader with a circuit to travel.

Advertisement

He put the foot to the floor up the hill on the final occasion before breaking away from his rivals clearing the last hedge to win by just under five lengths.

Pateman said it puts the Patrick Payne chaser in an enviable position early in the Australian jumps racing season.

"The way he settled today will really be a huge asset coming back here for the Great Eastern (in two weeks' time) and then the Grand Annual at Warrnambool,'' Pateman said.

Zed"That used to be his main issue, he was always difficult when it came to getting him to settle in his races but today he was super."

The horse is owned by Wairarapa farmers Roz and Mike Southey, Jenny and Chris Booth, and Bill Shannon and has won 14 races and the best part of $700,000 in prizemoney.

Zed Em's victory continues the outstanding run of form by the progeny of Grangwilliam Stud stallion Zed.

Zed, a son of Zabeel who stands for just $4,000, will be represented by strong favourite Verry Elleegant in Saturday's Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m), while his seven-year-old son Jacksstar recently won the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m). – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Chase scores sentimental win at Otaki
Johnathan Parkes has had many memorable wins throughout his riding career, but his victory aboard Chase at Otaki on Thursday would feature right up there sentimentally.
Sale Cup Winner Adds to Fastnet Rock Super Weekend
It’s been quite the weekend for the late great champion sire Fastnet Rock with a Cox Plate quinella on Saturday and then on Sunday he produced a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding El Rocko captured the $200,000 Listed Sale Cup (1600m).
Yes Yes Yes 3YO Shooting for G2 on Monday
Last year’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) set Savaglee up for Group One glory in Christchurch, and Matamata trainer Pam Gerard is hoping to follow a similar blueprint in 2025 with her Yes Yes Yes 3YO Affirmative Action..
Doubtland 2YO All On Red Smashes Them Again at Ascot
Widden Stud's Doubtland has a potential 2YO topliner in Perth in the shape of exciting WA colt All On Red, who remains undefeated from two starts after another comprehensive Ascot Saturday win.
Hi Yo Sass Bomb Wins G3 on Sunday
Kim Reid bypassed a Group One in favour of Sunday’s Gr.3 Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham with Hi Yo Sass Bomb, a decision that paid dividends when the mare led from the outset to claim her third stakes success.
Cream Rises at Trentham
A half-sister by Hello Youmzain (Fr) to dual Group I winner Mustang Valley, exciting filly Cream Tart is set to line up in one of the major three-year-old races over New Zealand Cup Week following her impressive win in Sunday’s Upper Hutt Car Sales LTD Three-Year-Old (1400m) at Trentham.
Latest Zed SW Brings Joy to Breeder
Saturday’s Group III  Winter Cup (1600m) added some black-type lustre to a brief foray into thoroughbred breeding for Carole and Doug Isaacson, who can owe their success to a showjumping win.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 25
Here is the full list of 136 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Star Kiwi Bred Mare Verry Ellegant Ready for Return
Dual Group One winner Verry Elleegant is one of four Chris Waller-trained gallopers nominated for Saturday’s Group I Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, joining stablemates Unforgotten, Youngstar and Kings Will Dream.
Zed Gelding Wins G3 Metric Mile
Talented winter galloper Herengawe came of age at Awapuni on Saturday when he out-toughed his rivals to score his first win at stakes level when he took out the Group III Boehringer Ingelheim Metric Mile (1600m).