A bright future over further ground is being marked for Zantabulous after the Te Akau mare scored impressively over a mile at Te Rapa on Sunday.
The daughter of Almanzor had been successful in two of her nine previous starts and entered Sunday’s Rating 75 contest a $4.80 second-favourite behind consistent mare Casino Princess.
In the hands of Wiremu Pinn, Zantabulous settled comfortably on the fence in third, while the race-favourite sat in a three-wide position.
The eight-horse field fanned out on the Soft 7 surface turning for home and Zantabulous soon found the lead, the mare kicking strongly to fend off the challenge of Casino Princess by three-quarters of a length.
Pinn claimed his second career Group 1 the weekend prior aboard the Matamata stable’s Move To Strike, and indicated Zantabulous has plenty to offer in future campaigns.
“She’s a lovely mare,” he said.
“There was good speed on, she relaxed beautifully, we cut the corner, and after shifting out to better ground she let down nicely.
“I think next time in, when she strengthens up again, she’ll get over 2000m. She’s quite exciting.”
Te Akau co-trainer Mark Walker praised Pinn’s ride and was pleased to see the mare back in winning form.
“It’s great to see her back in the winner’s circle and another nice ride of Wiremu’s,” said Walker, who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson.
“She’s had a few issues along the way, but it was a promising win today and it looks like she’s in for a good autumn and early part of the winter.
“I think she’ll only improve once we get up over more distance.”
Out of a three-win Zabeel mare in Zantalegh, Zantabulous was bred by Brendan and Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud, before being sold to David Ellis for $220,000 at the 2021 Karaka Yearling Sales.
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