Photo: Greg Irvine
In form mare Zayydani justified her race favourite tag, racing away to win at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Saturday.
The Trelawney Stud-bred and raced four-year-old had placed at her previous three starts, including a last-start third in the Listed Centaurea Stakes (2014m), before the weekend’s 1800m contest.
Though slow out of the gate, jockey Luke Dittman kept his cool and settled near the rear of the field letting Zayydani find her rhythm.
Dittman struggled to find a gap coming out of the turn but once one opened up he pressed the button and Zayydani let down and raced away to win by two lengths.
“It was a lovely run,” Dittman said. “There was a bit of pace out of the gates.
“Coming towards the corner there were a few slow horses in front of me wanting to get out wide. So I went back inside, cut the corner and let her go and she has an excellent turn of foot.
“On to bigger and better things from there.”
Co-trainer Ben Hayes has his sights set on another black-type test for the regally bred mare but will make a decision in the coming days.
“It was fantastic to get the win,” Hayes said. “We missed the start at little bit but weren’t too worried. Luke let her get into a lovely rhythm, he had a bit of traffic coming into the home straight and elected to ride for luck.
“Fortunately with her ability she was able to take the runs when needed and showed that nice turn of foot.
“We have two nice stakes races coming up but we will judge how she pulls up before making a decision.”
By champion sire Savabeel, Zayydani is out of Ruqqaya, a half-sister to Ocean Park who sired Satyurday’s Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap winner Tofane. Ruqqaya is the dam of dual Group One winner Grunt who stands at Yulong in Australia, as well as the stakes placed Addison.
Zayydani now has three wins and four placings from twelve starts.