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.

“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