Zahra Expects Villa Verde To Fire Fresh
- Wednesday, 20 August 2014 07:49
Jockey Mark Zahra has seen enough from Villa Verde to be confident the quality sprinting mare is ready to fire first-up at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Zahra rides the Anthony Cummings-trained mare in a race for the first time but has been on a her back in trackwork ahead of the Group Two winner's return in the Listed 1000-metre sprint.
"I would have liked to have drawn a touch closer to the fence but it looks a nice race for her first-up," Zahra said.
Villa Verde has drawn barrier 10 in a field of 13 for Saturday's race and the mare's opposition includes Group Three-winning speedster Kencella who is unbeaten in two first-up attempts and Shamal Wind who is unbeaten in four first-up starts.
Zahra partnered Villa Verde in a gallop at Moonee Valley on Tuesday and said the mare handled the circuit with ease.
"She's a lovely mare to ride. She didn't turn a hair there," Zahra said.
"She just ran up with a partner and did everything right and ran good time.
Zahra knows plenty about one of his main rivals, having ridden the Robert Smerdon-trained Shamal Wind on several occasions.
Shamal Wind was installed favourite at $4.80 ahead of Kencella at $5 and Villa Verde at $6, but Kencella has since firmed to $4.60 favourite.
Shamal Wind resumes for new owners on Saturday with Craig Williams booked to ride her for the first time.
Zahra said he didn't know if he would have kept the mount on Shamal Wind and was happy to lock in the first-up ride on Villa Verde.
"She is going really well too, Shamal Wind. She goes well fresh and over 1000 metres," Zahra said.
"But Villa Verde is Group performed. In that sort of field on Saturday you'd think she has got the class about her."
Villa Verde has won twice and finished second twice from her four first-up starts including an impressive weight-for-age win in the Group Two Challenge Stakes (1000m) when resuming last preparation.
The other feature race at Moonee Valley is the Listed McKenzie Stakes which has attracted a field of 12 with unbeaten Merion and Geelong debut winner Caveka installed joint favourites at $5.
