Zaaki set to return in Canterbury Stakes

After a pleasing barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens this morning, Annabel Neasham has earmarked the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes as Zaaki‘s return race.

The star galloper finished eighth over 900m in what was his first hit-out since saluting in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington during the spring.

The winner of almost $4 million is on track to start in the All-Star Mile on March 19, which is likely to be his second run for the campaign.

Although the triple Group 1 winner finished more than five lengths behind Embracer and Home Affairs, Neasham told Sky Thoroughbred Central that she thought it was a “super” bit of work.

“He was super,” she said.

“He was pretty fresh, but he often is at his first trial.

“He had a bit of a spin around when Brodie (Loy) got on him, and he looked very enthusiastic in the trial, but that was just what we wanted to see.

“He’s full of life, so he’ll trial again week after next and to me, he looks like he’s coming along really well.”

Zaaki won the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick when first-up in the spring, and that track is where Neasham is likely to head to for his first run this autumn.

Run over 1300m on March 5, the Canterbury Stakes will give Zaaki two weeks into the All-Star Mile in Melbourne, after which he will return to Sydney for The Championships.

Although Neasham believes her stable star could go to the races on Saturday week for the Group 2 Apollo Stakes, she feels as though one more trial will have him ready to tackle the Group 1 race at the beginning of March.

“He will probably kick off in the Canterbury Stakes – we’ve got plenty of time between now and then,” the trainer said.

“He could nearly go to the Apollo off one trial, but I think I’d rather have two and have him ready to go first-up.

“1300m is the shortest I’d have had him over, but the way he won over 1400m last prep, I think it’d be good to see if he can do it over a slightly shorter trip.”

Neasham also had Top Ranked, Law Of Indices and Group 1 winner Mo’unga step out at the Rosehill trials, with the latter impressing his trainer.

“He’s never a superstar at the trials, but that was probably the best I’ve actually ever seen him trial first-up,” Neasham said.

“He was super through the line.

“He probably kicks off in a similar sort of race and then heads to maybe a George Ryder (Stakes).”

Zaaki is currently the +250 favourite for the Canterbury Stakes, while he shares the top line of betting with I’m Thunderstruck in the All-Star Mile, which returns to Flemington on March 19.

With Mo’unga headed towards the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) on the same day as the All-Star Mile, punters have gravitated towards last year’s Winx Stakes winner, with online bookmakers winding the entire from +700 into +300.