Randwick Preview: Zaaki Ready To Rumble

Annabel Neasham believes her star galloper Zaaki is on track to make it consecutive Tramway Stakes at Randwick when he resumes in the Group 1 event over 1400m on Saturday.

Neasham said on RSN that she expected Zaaki to resume a winner.

“But you’re very respectful of your opposition, Profondo ran third in the Winx Stakes the other day and has a run under his belt and Converge is a very good horse as well,” Neasham said.

Zaaki has won eight of his past 12 starts and Neasham said the Tramway Stakes was a kick off point for the campaign.

Zaaki’s main mission is the Cox Plate and Neasham said that would be his fourth start for the campaign and his peak run.

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“He has got a little bit of improvement to come, he’s not 100 per cent fit going into it but it’s no different to last year or any other preparation.”

TopSport has Zaaki as a $1.90 favourite with the smart four-year-olds Profondo and Converge equal second favourite at $7 with noted mud runner Icebath.

Chris Waller said he expected Surefire to run a big race in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600 metres).

He pointed out that he had a tricky barrier to overcome starting from gate 12 but he had a good jockey in James McDonald aboard to overcome it.

He said Surefire was on a Caulfield Cup mission. Surefire is a $3.70 favourite with TopSport.

James Cummings believes his smart stayer Alegron could run a cheeky first-up race in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes.

“He’s coming to hand nicely. He’s a staying horse that needs a mile and a half to be getting into these sorts of races, but with some freshness in his legs, you wouldn’t put it completely past him to run a race,” Cummings said.

Zaaki Prices

• Playup – $1.80
• TopSport – $1.85

Alegron Prices

• Playup – $19.00
• TopSport – $20.00