 Until late yesterday afternoon the Geni Gillis trained Keltrice gelding Zarek was
classed as Australia's best maiden performer.At
start number fifteen the three-year-old broke through for his first win at the provincial
meeting at Bendigo.
At his five previous runs from city class to Group One
standard Zarek had been beaten by Pure Theatre, Manang, Manang, Amalfi and Amalfi
respectively.
With Greg Childs aboard the gelding was too classy winning
the Pentax Maiden Plate over 1300 metres in great style.
 Before winning yesterday
Zarek had placed on five occasions and earned prize money of nearly $300,000.
He is best remembered for his nail biting second to Amalfi
in the Group One Victoria Derby at Flemington last November. In fact yesterday's race was
the first start since then.
Zarek will have his next start in the Group One Australian
Guineas on Sunday week and he could be headed to contest some of the feature Sydney
staying races if his spring form is recaptured in Melbourne over the coming weeks.
 Meanwhile, later in the afternoon and the record
breaking yearling purchase Don Eduardo won his second consecutive race in a Class One
Handicap over 1600 metres.
The Lee Freedman trained three-year-old, who cost NZ$3.6
million as a yearling in New Zealand, defeated As She Does by six lengths in the final
race.
Damien Oliver, fresh back from suspension, was in the
saddle.
Freedman is hoping the colt can progress to Group One
class. He is nominated for both the Group One Australian Guineas in Melbourne and
Australian Derby in Sydney.
PICS - Quentin
Lang. |
