Zaaki Blows Away Rivals in Doomben Cup

In what was billed as the send-off for several group 1-winning legends of the turf, the May 22 Channel 7 Doomben Cup (G1) farewell party was overshadowed by the emphatic statement made by the Annabel Neasham-trained Zaaki , with the race instead a launching pad for announcing his credentials for the spring features.

Indeed, Saturday's 10-runner Doomben Cup field would not have looked out of place in a Cox Plate (G1) or Caulfield Cup (G1), possessing six individual group 1 winners, boasting an incredible 25 group 1 wins between them, as well as the All-Star Mile winner Mugatoo. 

Yet the old guard could not live with the vibrantly progressive Zaaki who, although himself a 6-year-old, was making just his fourth start in Australia and romped away in a class of his own to a seven-length victory in the feature.

Trailing in his wake was the Schweppes Oaks (G1) winner of last year, Toffee Tongue, who had a further 2 1/4 lengths on last year's Arrowfield Hobartville Stakes (G2) winner Brandenburg.

Melody Belle , the 14-time group 1-winning Queen of New Zealand, is the high-profile protagonist for next week's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, yet she could only muster a 12-length fifth, while the mercurial Nettoyer could not spring one last surprise, finishing just ahead of Melody Belle in fourth. Three-time group 1 winner Humidor, who Chris Waller said on Friday would be retired following this final run at his 50th start, was seventh, 12 1/2 lengths behind the runaway winner.

Avilius , who claimed three group 1 successes in 2019 and last year's Ladbrokes Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet , were left scrambling to salvage pride, with the former having bled from both nostrils in finishing sixth, while Sir Dragonet was ninth.

And they were scrambling before the 600-meter pole.

Despite the extensive roll of honor list in opposition, Zaaki was well found by punters, sent off the favorite to back up his eye-catching win in the TAB A.D. Hollindale Stakes (G2) a fortnight earlier and, having tracked a strong pace set by Brandenburg in the early stages, Zaaki hit the front with 400 meters to run under James McDonald, the pair with five lengths on the rest of the field, and in a matter of strides the race was done. 

The time, too, was impressive. With an eased-down Zaaki stopping the clock at 2.01.06 for1 1/4 miles, the fastest time since the race was first run over this trip in 2012, and just a whisker away from the course record of 2.00.96, which he no doubt would have claimed had he been ridden out to the line. 

Melbourne awaits and the middle distance crown of the Cox Plate. 

"Wow, that was amazing," said winning trainer Neasham in the aftermath of the race, which saw her claim a second group 1 win after Mo'unga's Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas (G1) triumph.

"The Hollindale was easy to watch," she continued. "I was stood with Carl Holt (the owner) at the 300 (meters) and I said 'Don't get excited yet,' and then we got to the furlong and I said 'I think we're alright here.'"

Zaaki, who takes his record to six wins from 25 starts, had his only other attempt at group 1 level when eighth in the 2019 running of the Longines Hong Kong Mile (G1) behind Admire Mars. 

"I was bullish going into the Doncaster (G1)," Neesham said. "I knew he was a very good horse and he just hasn't taken a backward step. He's run the 2,000 (meters) pretty easily and we can't wait for the Cox Plate."

Zaaki becomes the third individual group 1 winner for his late sire, the Brazilian-bred Leroidesanimaux , who is also responsible for outstanding Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Animal Kingdom . 

Sourced out of the Tattersalls Horses in Training in October last year, Zaaki has made an immediate impact, finishing sixth in the Star Doncaster Mile and second in the Sharp Extensive It Japan Racing Association Plate (G3) before his back-to-back wins. 

He was purchased by Neasham in conjunction with Stuart Boman of Blandford Bloodstock for 150,000 guineas (US$205,119). 

Out of Sadler's Wells  mare Kesara , a two-time winner in France, Zaaki is a half brother to four winners, bred by Miss Kirsten Rausing.