Having had her resolve tested by the ever-worsening conditions at Randwick, Annabel Neasham admitted to a feeling of relief as Zaaki landed back-to-back wins in the Tramway Stakes.
With a number of horses late withdrawals from the meeting as track conditions deteriorated, Neasham was left questioning whether she had made the right decision to send Zaaki around in the Group 2 race.
“It was going through my mind right until the gates opened,” Neasham said.
“But he’s very forward. I know he’s first-up and he’s obviously going to improve from this, but he’s a strong traveller and horses who travel strongly on the bridle like he does, it does help them get through the ground.
“I remember saying before the Queen Elizabeth they (former connections) said he didn’t like the wet ground, but I think we got a bit of confidence that day that he is pretty versatile and he has won quite soft in the end.”
James Mcdonald was positive aboard the odds-on favourite, parking Zaaki on the speed and when he felt for the whip halfway up the straight, the All-Star Mile winner found another gear, cruising to a comfortable 1-3/4 length win.
Icebath ($4.40) flashed home from the back to grab second with Nimalee ($12) holding third another half-length away.
McDonald said Zaaki’s class got him home despite the fact he didn’t relish the heavy 10 ground.
“He had to use all of his ability today to get through that track,” McDonald said.
“He has done a really good job at the furlong to kick away with some really good horses chasing him.
“He was idling a fair way from home – he can do that when he is out in front – he switches off, but he is a horse that finds under pressure.
“I couldn’t say that was his favourite ground.”
Zaaki is likely to have his next start in the George Main Stakes (1600m) in two weeks, meaning McDonald will need to make a choice between the eight-year-old and Winx Stakes winner Anamoe.
Group 1 winner Profondo finished fourth in the Tramway and is also George Main Stakes-bound when trainer Richard Litt is hoping for a firmer track.
“We are happy enough, he is just not as effective on the bad ground as he is on the good,” Litt said.