Godolphin filly races into VRC Oaks contention

A quick back-up coupled with a rise in distance has paid dividends for Godolphin filly Zardozi who claimed her maiden Stakes win with a stylish performance at Flemington.

Zardozi took out the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) on Saturday to potentially forge a path towards the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington next month.

Ridden by Chad Schofield, Zardozi ($10) scored by 1-½ lengths from Aprilia ($12) with Amazonian Lass ($31) a further three-quarters-of-a-length away third.

The James Cummings-trained filly which had two previous wins at Hawkesbury during her two-year-old season, was backing up from a seventh-place finish at Sandown last Sunday.

Zardozi had campaign in Group 2 company in Sydney to start her spring campaign but had found the 1200m and 1400m of those races against her.

“After two disappointing runs up in grade James saw that race last Sunday and thought she could get some confidence back,” Cummings’ Melbourne representative Sean Keogh said.

“She had a good week and James put the nomination in because she looked like a filly that is going to improve and get to a mile or further.

“It was a solid gallop (last Sunday) and we were mindful of that. She had a quiet enough week, and we took her out for a little hit out on Thursday and we knew she was going the right way.”

Keogh said coming up with barrier one again on Saturday after drawing the inside gate at Sandown last week, was something that was a concern for Keogh.

But he said having Schofield aboard, who had ridden the filly in her two Hawkesbury wins, did give him some confidence.

“Chad knows her well, he was patient and found the gaps on her,” Keogh said.

“She has put three on the board and, I suppose, James would have looked at her pedigree and earmarked a race like the Oaks if she continues that form.

“Now that she’s back on that form, races like the Ethereal Stakes (2000m at Caulfield) looks like a promising way to go.”