Zulfiqar and Ben Melham have combined for a front-running masterclass in the Chairman’s Stakes to ensure a spot in the Blue Diamond Stakes in three weeks-time.
Ben Melham was able to shoot straight to the lead on the inside running rail for James Cummings and team Godolphin, in very similar fashion to his win in the Maribyrnong Tral from October 1.
He lead throughout on that occasion to score at Flemington and that’s exactly what eventuated on Saturday afternoon in the Chairman’s Stakes over the 1000m.
He was joined up on speed by first-starter Perilous Fighter and Craig Williams, ensuring a decent tempo for back markers to come into play.
Particularly the Ciaran Maher & David Eustace-trained, Veecee, who loomed down the outside like the winner with 400m to go.
However; when Melham asked for an effort on his two-year-old, Zulfiqar obliged after being headed with 200m to go and proceeded to kick clear of his rivals to score by just over a length on the winning post.
2023 Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes Replay – Zulfiqar
All three of the previously raced gallopers made there way into the first four placings, so expect plenty of runners in behind on debut to take improvement form Saturday’s performance.
It’s all about the winning colt out of Exceed And Excel now, finding himself a +1400 chance in the Group 1 feature, while Veecee hasn’t lost any admirers around the +1000 mark.
Jockey Ben Melham spoke post-race on the improvement from the spring with Zulfiqar, after now riding him to victory in both career wins.
“He’s definitely come back a better horse,” said Melham.
“He’s stronger, James (Cummings) actually said he (Zulfiqar) was the first horse brought on the farm. These early season two-year-olds, well, two-year-olds in general has got to count for something.
“He was able to control the race, get to the right part of the track and went really well I thought.”
Ben Melham was quite upbeat about Zulfiqar’s Blue Diamond winning chances.
“Yeah, no doubt. He’s a very sensible horse and he was strong on the line and through the line, so that’s very important and he’ll run well in the Diamond.”
More horse racing news
