Zapateo (+2500) has launched late to secure victory in the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday, giving the James Cummings-trained mare her first Group 1 success.
She was friendless in the market despite a solid runner-up effort in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) a fortnight ago and was able to continue her hot run of form on Saturday.
She had to fend off the late challenge of the returning Annabel Neasham-trained Sunshine In Paris (+450) in the concluding stages, with the returning four-year-old crunched prior to the jump, being backed in from as much as +1000 on Wednesday.
The speed was only moderate throughout the 1100m journey, as the Matthew Dale-trained Front Page (+1200) pinged the lids to cross to the lead with relative ease, while Victorian-raider Asfoora (+1700) was able to sit on his outside.
Zapateo was peeled out on the three-wide line a long way out by Kerrin McEvoy, however, the Godolphin mare showed plenty of fight to find an extra gear when the whips were cracking, staving off a gallant Sunshine in Paris looming to her inside.
2024 Group 1 The Galaxy Replay – Zapateo
James Cummings spoke on behalf of the stable in the aftermath and discussed what it means to the progeny.
“It’s so important for Zapateo,” said Cummings.
“She’s a phenomenal racehorse by Brazen Beau and she just needed that Group 1 on her CV.
“She was very good first up, I know she was beaten by Kallos but we had great faith that there was improvement in her and a month into the weight-for-age run in the Challenge last start, she was good.
“She beat home the stablemate (Aft Cabin) who was the tip horse out of the stable.
“Kerrin gave her the run of the race and it makes all the difference in a handicap.”
Kerrin McEvoy gave all the credit to the James Cummings stable for the win before speaking to the toughness of his mount.
“Good training effort from James (Cummings),” said McEvoy.
“He picked this race out, she ran a brilliant race in the Challenge and got in with a nice weight today. She’s just a tough, genuine and talented filly.
“Good job for them to get some Black Type and win the Group 1 and it was a good win by her.
“She jumped out into a beautiful spot, I travelled like the winner the whole way – I thought ‘wow I’m in a dream position here’ – but they left me a bit at the top of the lane and I was a tiny bit worried and then 100 yards later when I got after her she hit into overdrive and away she went.
“I changed hands, pulled the stick through and she said, ‘righto, game on’ and she powered to the line.”
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