Walker Unveils NZ Derby Contender
- Saturday, 26 December 2009 06:33
Mark Walker hopes Zarzuela's last-stride Group Two victory will convince her owner David Paykel to run the filly in the New Zealand Derby in March.
He is also keen to bring her to Australia in the autumn for a shot at the Group One AJC Australian Oaks.
Prince Of Wales looked to have Zarzuela beaten with 150 metres to run in Saturday's Great Northern Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie but the Zabeel filly stretched out magnificently over the final stages to get up on the line.
Walker said he expected Zarzuela to improve further with maturity.
"I've been trying to convince David Paykel that she should be running in the Derby and hopefully that will convince him," Walker said.
"I'd also like to take her to Sydney for the Oaks in the autumn."
Zarzuela has both sprinting and staying blood in her pedigree.
Although Zabeel is a noted sire of stayers, her dam Star Satire was a Group One winner over 1400m.
But the way Zarzuela won at Ellerslie, needing every metre of the 2100m trip, suggested staying races would suit her.
"She's a promising filly who's untapped at this stage," Walker said.
"She'll have a week in the paddock now and we'll hit the big time in the autumn with her.
"When she gets to 2400 metres she should be well placed."
Prince Of Wales came into the Boxing Day feature following two unlucky Group One defeats at his past two starts and showed that his high reputation was at least partly justified.
His jockey Michael Coleman decided to move around the field 600m out as he feared Zarzuela could pocket him. He was the widest runner on the turn but accelerated well.
"Michael said he got to the front too early, though I could see his reasons for going when he did," trainer Paul Moroney said.
"But Michael said he was starting to pull up when he got to the front.
"He's a very good colt who will get a good race one day, but Zarzuela's a very good filly though."
NZPA
