Zayydani is the pin-up horse for the new look Lindsay Park after taking out the Listed Ballarat Cup.
The daughter of Savabeel provided trainers Ben and JD Hayes with their first winner not long after taking over at the helm of Lindsay Park in June.
That was a Listed race in Brisbane and on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington, Zayydani gave the trainers their biggest win, taking out the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m).
While Saturday’s race over 2000m may have only carried Listed status, it did provide a healthy cheque of $300,000, a welcome prize for the Lindsay Park coffers.
Ridden by Luke Nolen, Zayydani ($12) poked up on the fence to score a half-head win from Yonkers ($26) with Vanna Girl ($26) a short-head away third.
“That is such a big thrill,” Ben Hayes said.
“Well done to all the team. My brother in Hong Kong, JD – he’ll be thrilled.
“It’s really nice to get a nice winner again.
“Along with Mr Brightside she’s the pin-up girl of the stable. Mr Brightside is the pin-up boy.
“For her to come here and win and give the owners a win like that with such good prize money, just shows what a champ she is.”
Hayes said Saturday’s victory was an add on, but very well received.
“The Grand Final was the Matriarch, and she came through that so well we thought we’d have a crack at the Ballarat Cup and gee she was impressive,” Hayes said.
Like she did at Flemington, Zayydani was forced to take a run on the fence, only this time it was a needle eye opening on the inside of the $2.40 favourite, and fourth-placed Thought Of That.
Nolen said he was obligated to got to the fence in the straight.
“I had to tie the mirrors in a bit today because it was a bit tighter that gap than it was at Flemington the other day,” Nolen said.
“Away from mares’ grade there was some OK off-season stayers in this field, and I think she’s going very well. The boys are going well.”