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The scratching of Godolphin filly Vianello has given a ringing endorsement to the hopes of Zapateo at Caulfield.
The Godolphin team has decided Zapateo will be their sole representative in a two-year-old race at Caulfield with stablemate Vianello to run in Sydney.
Both fillies were down to run in the Neds Handicap (1100m) on Saturday, however Vianello has been scratched and is set to run in the Acy Securities Handicap (1100m) at Randwick.
Sean Keogh, in charge of the Melbourne stable for Godolphin trainer James Cummings, said Zapateo had made nice progress from her impressive debut win at Geelong last month.
Under the guidance of Damien Oliver, who has the ride again, Zapateo, was sent out favourite and had to overcome a wide draw, and run, to score on debut.
"I think she has taken progression from having her debut start," Keogh told RSN.
"She had a trial seven days before her debut, she trialled nicely and what she did at Geelong was nice.
"She had the wide barrier, she was pushed deep and was a bit green in the run, but the way she let down showed us she's a nice filly and what she had been showing us at home she brought that to the track."
Keogh said he expected the Godolphin team should be rewarded for their patience with the daughter of Brazen Beau who was allowed to develop and strengthen before making her debut.
He said Zapateo could have been brought straight to the metropolitan area for her debut, but added sometimes "little fish are sweet" when knocking over her maiden victory at Geelong.
"I think the patience that the team has shown in Sydney in allowing her strengthen they will be rewarded in coming weeks and months," Keogh said.
"It will be good to get her to a metro track and see what she does before we consider our (spring) options."