Written by Paul Vettise
Zoutori (Zoustar) has produced his best form in a sprinting role, as he did again at Flemington, but co-trainer Mathew Ellerton has a different approach in mind for him later in the spring.
The 5-year-old has previously been effective off a break with three previous first-up successes and he added to that fresh record when he won the G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality over 1200 metres in a blanket finish.
In the process, Zoutori retained his title having landed the sprint 12 months ago and his short course talent is emphasised by a second placing in last season’s G1 Oakleigh Plate.
“He left it until late and he probably wasn’t as dominant as he was last year, but he got the job done,” said Ellerton, who trains in partnership with Simon Zahra. “He’s particularly good fresh, he’s going well, but he’s probably not flying.
“We’ll look after him and we might stretch him out a bit this prep. We’ll go up in trip from here on in and we might have a look at the mile here later, the G1 Cantala S.”
Zoutori settled off the pace and when a gap appeared in the closing 200 metres he was driven to the post by Mark Zahra to narrowly run down Banquo (Written Tycoon) and Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).
The Inevitable (Dundeel {NZ}) and Dollar For Dollar (High Chaparral {Ire}) were the next pair home and less than 0.5l off the winner.
Zoutori was a $160,000 Inglis Australian Yearling Sale buy for Ellerton and Zahra from Amarina Farm's consignment and races in the colours of Jonathan Munz’s Pinecliff Racing. His dam Atotori (Haradasun) is a half-sister to the G3 Kenilworth Winter Guineas winner Castlethorpe (Not A Single Doubt).
Zoutori as a yearling
Guineas prospect
Crosshaven (Smart Missile) returned to winning ways for trainers Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig at Flemington to move into the mix for the G1 Caulfield Guineas.
The 3-year-old’s effort to land the Listed Antler Luggage Exford Plate was full of merit as he had to overcome the outside barrier and in the process put away a number of potential Classic rivals.
Crosshaven was undefeated in two appearances last season at Geelong and Moonee Valley before he finished sixth, after being tightened for room in the straight, when resuming in the G3 McNeil S. at Caulfield.
The gelding broke quickly from the gates at Flemington to sit outside the leader Bartley (Written Tycoon) and surged to the front 200 metres from home and drew clear to score by 1.5l.
Bartley was brave in sticking on for second ahead of the Listed Gibson Carmichael S. winner Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who suffered the first defeat of his career, but did hit the line well in his first run back from a break.
Crosshaven was bred by New Zealand's Daniel Nakhle who remained in the ownership after he was purchased for NZ$80,000 by Lindsay Park Racing from Haunui Farm’s New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale draft.
He is a half-brother to the G3 White Robe Lodge H. winner Killarney (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) and their dam Irish Colleen (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}) was a smart mare who won seven races, including the G2 Concorde H.
Crosshaven as a yearling
