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Godolphin keeping faith in Zardozi

3 minute read

Zardozi is expected to prove a tougher opponent in her Oaks rematch with Orchestral.

ZARDOZI.
ZARDOZI. Picture: Martin King / Sportpix

James Cummings isn't conceding the ATC Australian Oaks to odds-on favourite Orchestral, adamant Zardozi can give the Kiwi star a run for her money.

Orchestral outstayed the Godolphin filly at their only clash in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) but in hindsight, Cummings said Zardozi needed the tough middle-distance run after winning the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) in the lead-up.

"There's a lot to be said for the match practice that Zardozi lacked when the pressure went on in the Vinery," Cummings said.

"She's got that now, therefore I think she's going to be ready to fire.

"It should be 'game on' for the Oaks this weekend."

Both three-year-olds are proven over Saturday's classic journey, Orchestral triumphant in the New Zealand Derby (2400m), while Zardozi produced a career high when dominant in the VRC Oaks (2500m) in the spring.

Cummings flirted with testing her against the boys in last weekend's Australian Derby but scratched Zardozi when the track came up heavy, paving the way for another thrilling showdown with Orchestral this weekend.

"I think this is a pretty exciting edition of the Oaks and Zardozi gets an opportunity to rubberstamp what she did in the spring by going to better ground than what we saw last weekend," Cummings said.

"There's no doubt her VRC Oaks performance would have her a hugely competitive chance, even against the very impressive New Zealand filly Orchestral.

"Hopefully, with the right run through and being able to put herself into the race, she'll give herself a chance to turn the tables."

Zardozi is on the second line of Oaks betting at $4.40 with Orchestral a prohibitive $1.65 favourite to extend a five-race winning sequence that began in January.

If she is victorious on Saturday, it will be her third Group 1 win in succession and a continuation of the wonderful Oaks record of New Zealand-trained fillies, who have taken out four of the past 10 renewals.


Racing and Sports

Randwick

Saturday, 13th April 2024

6
14:40
(local)

THE STAR AUSTRALIAN OAKS (G1)

Age: 3yo Sex: F Type: OPEN
AUD $1,000,000
2400m TURF GOOD
6
14:40
(local)
AUD $1,000,000
2400m GOOD

THE STAR AUSTRALIAN OAKS (G1)

Age: 3yo Sex: F Type: OPEN


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 5. AUTUMN ANGEL (AUS) 3yo F
THE AUTUMN SUN (AUS) - ANGEL OF MERCY (AUS)
MARK ZAHRA
PETER G MOODY & KATHERINE COLEMAN
$6
56kg
Wylie Dalziel Roy Higgins Racing (Mgr: W J Dalziel), J Robinson, G H E Goyne, P J Blunden, P Cunningham, M L Abell, Mrs L Davis, B M Jackson, M Patullo & Snow Road Thoroughbreds (Mgr: G N Mcnulty)

Sales Information

2nd 3. ZARDOZI (AUS) 3yo F
KINGMAN (GB) - CHANDERI (GB)
TOM MARQUAND
JAMES CUMMINGS
$6
56kg
Godolphin
3rd 1. ORCHESTRAL (NZ) 3yo F
SAVABEEL (AUS) - SYMPHONIC (NZ)
JAMES MCDONALD
ROGER JAMES & ROBERT WELLWOOD
$1.62
56kg
C R & H J Litt

Sales Information

4th 2. QUINTESSA (NZ) 3yo F
SHAMUS AWARD (AUS) - CHAQUINTA (NZ)
OPIE BOSSON
MARK WALKER
$12
56kg

Sales Information

5th 4. TUTTA LA VITA (AUS) 3yo F
THE AUTUMN SUN (AUS) - NEGOTIATE (AUS)
NASH RAWILLER
CHRIS WALLER
$12
56kg

Sales Information

6th 6. BASILINNA (NZ) 3yo F
STAPHANOS (JPN) - SO ROYAL (NZ)
BLAKE SHINN
EMMA-LEE & DAVID BROWNE
$26
56kg
7th 10. BUSH GIRL (AUS) 3yo F
RIBCHESTER (IRE) - ENDAXI (AUS)
JAY FORD
KERRY PARKER
$201
56kg
8th 7. DANCES WITH HOOVES (AUS) 3yo F
REAL STEEL (JPN) - NATIVE AMERICAN (AUS)
CRAIG WILLIAMS
CAMERON CROCKETT
$81
56kg

Sales Information

9th 8. PIPLUP (AUS) 3yo F
INFERENCE (AUS) - PIPETTE (GB)
DAMIAN LANE
BRAD WIDDUP
$151
56kg

Sales Information

10th 9. TRUE FAIRY (AUS) 3yo F
REAL STEEL (JPN) - CEDAR LANE (AUS)
NORIYUKI MASUDA
DAIKI CHUJO
$201
56kg

Sales Information

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