Zabenz and Thornton to Pair Up in USA Debut

Friday, 16 August 2002 00:00

The international experience of New Zealand jumps jockey Craig Thornton has landed him the North American ride on New Zealand-bred jumping star Zabenz.

Thornton departs Sunday, having him in New York in time to school the Zabeel gelding before his debut there on Thursday.

"The original plan was to give him his first American start on August 22, but he's done so well that he will have a run beforehand," Thornton told ThoroughbredNews this morning.

Thornton had his first ride on Zabenz  in a trial in Melbourne before he left for the States 10 days ago in the care of Merrick Staunton, an employee of trainer Robert Smerdon.

"He gave me a great feel," said Thornton, "everything you would expect of a horse with his performance."

Zabenz has won his only three hurdle starts, the last of them the VRC Grand National.

That performance sealed his purchase by expatriate New Zealander Michael Watt, whose colours were carried to victory by Eric the Bee in last Saturday's Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton.

Watt is also the owner of current Melbourne Cup favourite Vinnie Roe, who is trained in Ireland by Vintage Crop's trainer Dermot Weld.

Zabenz will race in a $US50,000 novice steeplechase at Saratoga on Thursday, followed by the $US120,000 New York Turf Writers' Cup Steeples on the same track a week later.

That means that Thornton will not be back in time to ride Royal Ways in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup at Ellerslie on Saturday week.

That mount has gone to Jonathan Riddell, who rode Eric the Bee last week.

PICS - Quentin Lang.

Media Release - TNZ