Weight-for-age star Zaaki will be just one of the headline horses kicking off their spring campaigns at Randwick on a program featuring some of racing’s brightest talents.
The Queen Elizabeth Stakes runner-up resumes in Saturday’s Tramway Stakes (1400m) where his rivals include Randwick Guineas winner Converge, Thousand Guineas heroine Yearning and the promising Profondo, also an acceptor for the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).
Evergreen sprinter Eduardo will face off with Masked Crusader,Shelby Sixtysix and Godolphin’s Andermatt in the Concorde Stakes (1000m), while the Group 2 Chelmsford heralds the return of Caulfield and Melbourne Cup hopeful Montefilia.
Zaaki will be chasing back-to-back wins in the Tramway, which he took out comfortably first-up last year, and trainer Annabel Neasham has him spot-on after two barrier trials a conditioning gallop between races at Gosford last Friday.
“We have always taken him away somewhere (for an exhibition gallop),” Neasham said.
“He was pretty exuberant and fresh, but he doesn’t have to do much now and he will line up on Saturday.
“He’s terrific. He’s ready to rock and roll and I can’t wait.”
Neasham will also saddle up Mo’Unga and Numerian in the Chelmsford Stakes, the latter heading to the races after a quiet trial on Monday at Warwick Farm where he went to the line under his own steam for third in his 1200m heat.
The winner of the Gosford Cup and Q22 in the autumn, Numerian is on a Caulfield Cup path, while Mo’unga will be looking to bounce back from an inconclusive first-up run in the Winx Stakes when he had little luck in the straight and trailed the field home.
Filly Mumbai Jewel rounds out Neasham’s black-type runners in the Furious Stakes (1200m) as she looks to follow the lead of barn mate Sweet Ride, who upset his more fancied three-year-old rivals in the San Domenico Stakes last weekend.
Like Sweet Ride, Mumbai Jewel will be ridden by Chad Schofield and has the advantage of race fitness over several rivals, including Group 1 winners She’s Extreme and Sheeza Belter, who both resume in the second leg of the Princess Series.