Zaaki nominated for All-Star defence
Annabel Neasham has nominated Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) for a defence of his The All-Star Mile crown.
The four-time Group 1 winner easily prevailed in last year's edition at Flemington, where he defeated the likes of I'm Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking), Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) and Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante), who all went on to win at the top level.
Zaaki (GB) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
The gelding has not been since since his victory in the G1 Champions S. and is one of five horses Neasham has nominated for the $5 million race, with My Oberon (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Laws Of Indices (Ire) (Power {GB}), Mo'unga (NZ) (Savabeel) and Sibaaq (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) also featuring in the nominations.
Maher hatching plans for track stars
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are hatching plans for Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) and Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) after the pair satisfied Maher in their jump-outs on Monday morning at Cranbourne.
“Coolangatta jumped, travelled and was very impressive in just her first trial,” said Maher.
“Jamie (Kah) obviously knows her very well and gave her a good report and said she's as she looks, she's furnished a bit, and strengthened, carrying a bit more condition and, so far, she's done everything you'd hope to see and come back very well.”
Maher said the daughter of Written Tycoon will likely kick off her campaign G1 Black Caviar Lightning S.
Bella Nipotina, meanwhile, will kick off her latest preparation in the G1 William Reid S., given her good record at Moonee Valley.
Guineas plan for Legarto
Despite losing her unbeaten record in the R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic, Legarto's (NZ) (Proisir) connections insist a trip to Melbourne for the G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington on March 4 is not off the table for the 3-year-old.
“I think she probably will,” co-trainer Ken Kelso said of a Guineas tilt. “She got through the race alright, but she had no luck.
“It just gives us a chance to freshen her up as she's had a bit of travelling. There are a few options, but we are leaning that way.”
Expressway return for Golden Mile
G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile (Astern) will make his return to the track in the G2 Expressway S. at Rosehill.
The colt, who is one of only four nominations for the Group 2, has not been sighted since the G2 Callander-Presnell at Randwick on October 22.
Golden Mile is expected to be nominated for the G2 Australia S. at The Valley on Saturday as connections eye off a possible Guineas double, with March's $1 million G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington the colt's autumn target.
Golden Mile | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“Golden Mile has been going well and trialled nicely. James (Cummings) is very happy with the way the horse is going and the intent is to run him first-up this weekend,” said Godolphin Australia's Managing Director Vin Cox.
“Then we'll head south with him and we'll keep the other colt (Aft Cabin) north for the Randwick Guineas.”
Blue Diamond not off the table for Croatian Belle
After finishing ninth in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic last week, Croatian Belle (Brazen Beau) is still being considered for the G1 Blue Diamond S. on February 25.
Trained by Ben and JD Hayes, the 2-year-old filly will have a few days off on her return to Victoria before the rest of her campaign is settled on, and a longer break might bring her into consideration for the $1 million VOBIS Showdown, restricted to progeny of Victorian-based stallions.
“We’ll see how she travels back and we’ll make a judgement call over the next week,” co-trainer Ben Hayes told Racing.com.
“There might be a little freshen-up and then we target a race like The Showdown – she’s by Brazen Beau so she qualifies and it might be a good race to go for.
“Or, if we’re really happy with her, she could be another one that goes to the Blue Diamond.
“She just did a little bit wrong on the Gold Coast, but she wasn’t disgraced.”
Krakarib set on Blue Diamond path
The Simon Zahra-trained Krakarib (Ribchester {Ire}) will return to action in this Thursday’s Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings). A winner of the G3 Maribyrnong Plate on his second start, Krakarib posted a facile jump-out victory at Flemington last Friday.
“He won the trial, led them up and had a nice kick and went to the line pretty comfortably,” Zahra told Racing.com.
Krakarib | Image courtesy of Inglis Digital
“My only concern is whether he’s going to be strong at the 1200, so until we stretch him beyond the 1000, it’s going to be hard to know.
“He’s quite a hard-going horse, so we might tinker with a bit of gear to try to get him to relax at some stage. He’s educated, he’s quick, he’s not overly big, so it’s whether he can sustain it for the 1200, that’s probably going to be the query.”
Jigsaw ready for Australia test
This Saturday’s meeting at The Valley will see Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) look to extend his winning streak to four as he takes on the G2 Australia S. Trained by Cindy Alderson, the 4-year-old gelding was a last-start winner of the Listed Christmas S. on Boxing Day, and his trainer is hopeful of a repeat result.
“He’s really well and I can’t fault him,” Alderson told RAS NewsWire.
“He’s probably going as well as he’s ever gone and been strong through the line every time, so he’s probably earnt a crack at it. If he doesn’t handle it, we can always come back in trip.”
Cummings reconsiders Kote options
After winning his trial at Randwick on Monday morning, Kote (Choisir) may have landed himself with a more immediate return to racing.
Trainer Anthony Cummings was going to wait until next month with his talented 3-year-old gelding, but has instead spied an opportunity in the poorly supported G2 Expressway S., for which entries were extended to Tuesday after just four horses were attracted within the initial deadline.
“Honestly, on the trial, I thought we’ll probably wait until the fourth (of February) and run in either the Eskimo Prince or that benchmark race, but then when I looked at the nominations and it would be silly to let the opportunity to go by when the horse is pretty much ready to go,” Cummings told RAS NewsWire.
“We’ll see how he pulls up from the trial and make a decision on Wednesday morning. We might even pay up and then have a look-see.”
