Crushing Blow By Zarzuela

Written by Thoroughbred News Sunday, 07 February 2010 10:18

Zarzuela (3 Br. F. Zabeel – Star Satire, by Volksraad) dealt another crushing blow to Derby aspirants with her impressive win in the $70,000, Group III, HS Dyke Waikato Guineas over 2000 metres at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Installed as a seven dollar Derby favourite by the TAB bookmaker after unleashing a phenomenal sprint to collar Prince Of Wales in the Great Northern Guineas at her previous start on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, the Mark Walker-trained filly paraded a touch pretty in condition yet still proved superior.

Dominant over most of her rivals in physical presence, Zarzuela was the benefactor of a genuine pace and another superb ride by James McDonald.

McDonald allowed Zarzuela to settle last of thirteen at the post with a lap to run and was content to remain idling along back in the field, still ten lengths from the leader at the 600 metres.

Looking to improve soon after, the pair lost momentum when squeezed out of a gap nearing the home turn, but it mattered little as she circled to level a furlong out without be asked for an effort.

When McDonald did offer some persuasion, the response was immediate, before he buttoned her off near the line to win easing down by three quarters of a length.

The run by Corporal Jones for second had plenty of merit, as did the performance for third by Jungle Juice, coming through the pack from the rear.

Military Move, Imabayboy and Tullamore, finishing fourth, fifth and sixth respectively should have lost no admirers, while Bone Of Contention was noticeably short of room in the straight, with rider Michael Walker rueing the fact and suggesting he could have finished a lot closer than seventh.

No Fear set up a strong gallop in front to ensure an overall time of 2:01.00 for the 2000 metres on a track rated Good2.

Starting as second favourite, behind Maciano, Zarzuela returned $5.00 & $1.80.

Buoyed by the manner of her victory at Ellerslie last time and aware that she has plenty of improvement to come, Mark Walker is bullish about the potential of the David Paykel owned and bred filly.

“Good fillies can do amazing things and she just keeps stepping up”, said Walker.

“She had a week off at Kit Davison’s (after Ellerslie), then he gave her a week’s pre-training and she came back in wonderful order.”

Zarzuela had an exhibition gallop at Te Aroha on January 29.

“I took her to Te Aroha the other day, more for the day out than anything and that tidied her up a bit.”

“She’ll improve. We didn’t even gallop her on Thursday, just led her off the trainer and gave her a swim to keep her a bit fresh.”

“She’s just a high class filly and it’s great to have another filly this good”, said Walker, alluding to the deeds of former stable star Princess Coup, the winner of thirteen races and $4.2 million.

Given the break between races and her freshened state of condition, Walker felt Zarzuela could have been slightly vulnerable when saying, “I thought she was susceptible today, but I think she is pretty special and that she can lift to the next level.”

The second foal of group one winning mare Star Satire, Zarzuela is certainly bred in the purple, with Walker paying homage to her dam Zabeel when asked why she is so extraordinary.

“It’s probably the Zabeel factor. He’s a super-sire and every generation he comes up with a new star and she (Zarzuela) seems capable of moving to the next level.”

With three of her seven starts resulting in victory, and two seconds to boot, Zarzuela will tackle the $85,000 Group 2 Championship Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on February 20 before returning for the big one on March 6, the $2.2 million Group 1 Telecom Derby over a mile and a half (2400m).