A “12 out of 10” ride by Mark Zahra has seen Kissonallforcheeks claim another Group victory at Flemington over 1400m.
The Nick Ryan-trained mare had a job ahead of her at the corner, but a perfect steer by Zahra saw the five-year-old storm home to win by a neck as the $3.60 favourite, defeating Lady Of Honour and Yearning.
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Nick Ryan, who has only had the mare for two starts, said all roads now lead to the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) for the “classy mare”.
“I’d probably give him (Zahra) 12 (out of 10), that’s why you put him on,” the winning trainer said.
“Pound for pound there’s none better and from the tricky draw we knew he was going to need an ounce of luck and it was just an open book for Mark and he just executed it perfectly.
“I think Mark knows how fast he’s going, there was a genuine tempo and he was happy to just come back and tuck in and get cover and he trusted the horse.
“She’s a classy mare and I’m grateful that she’s got the job done.
“There are a few different paths, but it could possibly be the Rose Of Kingston in 21 days all heading towards the Empire Rose (Stakes).”
Mark Zahra has been aboard the former Western Australian mare in both of her Flemington wins, so he will no doubt be wanting to stick with her moving through the spring.
Despite being a long way back in the field, Zahra was always happy with how the mare travelled in the run.
“I was actually happy because I was going to get in three-deep with cover early and then one kicked up, so I had to come a pair further back and I was following Foxy Frida and it just wouldn’t go,” he said.
“I was waiting as long as I could but I probably had to come out a bit early because it was just going to not take me anywhere. When I came out, before I even asked, she just zoomed underneath me.
“It was a good effort. Lady Of Honour had its own way enough in front, so to be able to run it down and then fend off the horse on the outside (was a good effort).
“I think she’s going as good. It was a massive win that day and she didn’t have the favours like she did that day today but was still able to get the job done, so she’s ticking over better than ever.”
Kissonallforcheeks is now an $8 second elect with betting sites for the Empire Rose Stakes on October 29.
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