ZABENE to contest Group Three Trentham Stakes Saturday 21st January
FORTUNA's veteran galloper ZABENE ( Zabeel-Emerald Dream by Danehill) takes a step up in class this weekend when contesting the Trentham Stakes, a Group 3 event over 2100 metres at Trentham Saturday 21st.
ZABENE struck a purple patch of form in the Spring, winning both the New Zealand Cup Trial and the Metropolitan Gold Club Tropy ( Listed) at Riccarton and was on track for a bold showing in the NZ CUP on November 12th but his plans were thrown into disaaray due to heavy rain and he was late scratched. Trainer, Jason Bridgman elected to give him a short spell at that point and ZABENE then resumed with a bold run for a close up 3rd in the Waikouaiti Cup on New Year's Day.
As FORTUNA Director, John Galvin, explains, ZABENE is on a "Cups" path, but has a couple of options to consider, " He certainly deserves a crack at this higher level of event, that is the Trentham Stakes and the Wellington Cup. However, we do need to see a very strong run from him in the Trentham Stakes in order to seriously consider paying up for the Wellington Cup. Plan B is to bypass the Wellington Cup and then go for the Dunedin and Invercargill Gold Cups in February. He is not ideally suited by the weight scale ( Set weights and penalties) in the Trentham Stakes, but if he performs well given that disadvantage, then we would be confident of an even better performance in the Wellington Cup, which is run under traditional Handicap conditions."
Here are the details for ZABENE's race on Saturday:
Course: Trentham
Date: Saturday Jan. 21
Race: 7
Time: 4.26pm
Distance: 2100 metres
Draw: 13 of 15
Weight: 56.5kg
Jockey: Matt Cameron
Trainer Jason Bridgman comments below:
ZABENE is taking a step up in class this weekend, heading to the Trentham Stakes (Gr. 3). He should receive ideal track conditions and a big galloping track, which should also suit him. It is a strong field, but the race will give us a good guide as to whether we back him up in the Wellington Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) on the following Saturday at Trentham. Otherwise, we would look to the Dunedin Gold Cup (Listed, 2400m) on Saturday Feb. 4 at Wingatui. He’s trained on well and we’ll let him roll forward as is customary with his style of racing. Matt knows the horse very well, gets on well with him, and if he runs up to his best form we’re expecting a very good race from him.
ZABENE in action on way to victory in Metropolitan Gold Club Trophy
(photo courtesy of Race Images)
