In anticipation of Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick, Zardozi‘s connections exhibit unwavering confidence despite the swift turnaround.
The high-calibre filly, hailing from the renowned Godolphin stables, boasts a commendable track record of bouncing back swiftly.
Despite a lacklustre performance over 1400 metres at Sandown, Zardozi rallied to clinch the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) merely six days later.
Similarly, her triumphant Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) victory in the spring followed a narrow defeat in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) by just five days.
Assistant trainer Darren Beadman, speaking on behalf of trainer James Cummings, expressed the deliberate planning behind Zardozi’s participation in this prestigious race, stating, “It was always in the back of James’ mind to have her in this race.
“She does back up very quickly, she does like soft ground and she does run well over a trip.
“She did win the Oaks over 2500 (metres) and was in a league of her own against the fillies. She is bucking her brand off.”
Reflecting on Zardozi’s recent performance in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill, where she finished third behind Orchestral and Tutta La Vita, Beadman acknowledged the strategic manoeuvre by jockey Nash Rawiller, noting, “They really stretched it out when Nash took off on Tutta La Vita. Orchestral is obviously a very good filly and she had the mile-and-a-half run under her belt as well, so she was probably just a little more forward in her prep than our filly.”