The move north for Zadig has done wonders as he looks to take out the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) on Saturday in his sixth Queensland start.
The four-year-old gelded son of Astern had his first start in the Sunshine State back in February, finishing fourth at Gatton, before stringing together three consecutive wins – two at Toowoomba and one at Ipswich.
That run of wins made it three from five in Queensland and adds to his form of 21: 6-1-0 with $166,322 prize money earned.
His Ipswich win in March was by 0.8 of a length with Jake Molloy onboard in an all-the-way effort, paying $3.10 with online bookmakers.
He now will jump deep from barrier 14 and is paying $23 with the top betting sites but should not be written off.
Co-founder and spokesperson for Donald’s Racing, Alex Vinar, has been impressed with Zadig’s form and is confident ahead of Saturday’s $116,000 feature.
“He has completely thrived up north,” Vinar said.
“He has gone into Mark Currie’s system and is loving life in Queensland and it looks like there is so much more to come from him.
“He was competing week after week in Sydney in Highway races so he probably wasn’t as suited there.
“We had the opportunity to purchase him and we got him at a great price and now he has a shot at the Ipswich Cup.”
In his last start a fortnight ago at Eagle Farm, Zadig ran fourth under handy hoop Angela Jones and gave a preview into his ability and his future.
Eagle Farm R2 replay – June 3, 2023
Winner: Trevelyan
“He was building that picket fence there and we went to the Benchmark 90 because he deserved a chance in town,” Vinar said.
“In my opinion, he did not lower his colours whatsoever. They ran quick times up front but he still found the line well.
“He had every reason and right to knock up very well, but he kept fighting and carried himself to the line and earn a placing and picked up more prize money.
“He has a blistering early speed in him, along with a great turn of foot and he seems to have a high cruising speed that if he uses it to his advantage, he can run all the opponents into the ground.
“He is a very tough horse.
“We did question if he would get the 2000m but when he was given beyond the mile at Toowoomba, he absolutely demolished them.
“After last week he gave us all every indication he was capable and although he has been out for a while and deserves a freshen-up.
“We are ready to roll the dice and see what he can do in a big race like the Ipswich Cup.”
Jones retains the ride for the Ipswich Cup, with both Donald’s Racing and the Currie Racing team excited for the apprentice in getting the ride.
The competition is led by this year’s Doomben Cup runner-up in Annabel Neasham-trained Numerian ($3.40) and seven-year-old Group 3 winner Desert Icon ($4.60) from the Chris Waller stable.
“We are in it as the underdogs and know that but we like that,” Vinar said.
“He is going to get the trip, there is no doubt in that.
“From the wide draw, it’s a case of getting to the front and being able to dictate things our way and have a real impact.”
Zadig relishes the sting out of the ground, with four wins from seven starts on Soft going.
With the Ipswich track currently a Soft 5 rating and no further rain forecast, hopes would be high from connections that weather forecasts are wrong once again.
Purchased for $20,000 by Donald’s Racing, Zadig has banked $55,000 in prizemoney from his Queensland races alone.
According to Vinar, the Currie Racing team had a lot to do with the original purchase and all connections are excited for his future.
“As we head into next winter and next carnivals he is only going to continue to thrive and I don’t think we have seen the best of him,” Vinar said.
“He is a young horse and a real staying prospect.
“The world is an oyster for this guy.
“As a syndicator, he is our first runner in the Ipswich Cup and we are really excited to see what he can do on Saturday.
“If he can win the Cup it is going to be a big celebration.”
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