Zennzella back in winning form at Caulfield
The Magic Millions staying feature could be ahead for Zennzella after the mare returned to the winners’ list for the first time since October 2022 with victory in the Listed Lord Stakes at Caulfield.
Positive things were ahead for the then three-year-old filly by Snitzel when she took out the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) and then ran fourth in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) five days later during last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Ridden by Jamie Kah, the win in this 1800-metre event follows the mare having been sold at the 2023 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale in May for $750,000.
“She can lay in under pressure and she is still getting there fitness-wise,”Maher said.
“2024 looks bright for her.
“When Rick Jamieson and the team purchased her I said she’s still got a little bit more in her.
“Being a Magic Millions horse she can run in the staying race over 2200-metres which is fairly restricted for good money.
“It doesn’t carry the black-type so I’ll see what the team want to do.”
The $1 million Magic Millions Subzero (2200m) falls on the Magic Millions card at Gold Coast on January 14.
Winless in two starts earlier this year, Zennzella ($2.60 betting sites favourite) returned to the track and recorded the fastest sectionals across the board in her third placing in the Group 3 Summond Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield earlier this month, before this neck-margin win over stablemate Mankayan($15).
On his return to racing, the one-time Melbourne Cup fancy pleased Maher with more in-store.
“Mankayan was very good late,” Maher added.
“He has prepped up really well and hit the line strong.
“He had a bit of an indifferent prep last time but it looks like he’s right back on track.”
More Racing News
Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win
Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m)...
Bold Soul's future may be over jumps after Flemington success
Connections have found Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, to be a good earner on the flat, but his future might be better suited to hurdles.Bold Soul secured the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, adding to his seven prior wins from 33 starts and boosting...
Sword Of Legacy's determined win follows Band Of Brothers' Ramornie success
Matthew Dunn's stable has enjoyed a prosperous week, capped by Sword Of Legacy's hard-fought victory at Rosehill. This triumph arrived just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks of David Moodie, captured the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.Sword Of Legacy, sent out...
Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne...
Joint Venture earns carnival ticket with Rosehill triumph
A late-developing two-year-old, Joint Venture, is now in contention for the initial three-year-old feature races after securing a crucial win at Rosehill.The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $625,000 yearling acquisition for the Newgate stallions syndicate, displayed significant progress from his debut second at Wyong, asserting his class...
Betwitchery ready to extend winning streak first-up
Betwitchery is set to extend her winning sequence as she makes her return to the racetrack at Flemington.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare is scheduled to begin her new racing campaign in the VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate, a 1200-metre contest, this Saturday.Betwitchery, who has won five...
Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education,...
General Salute set for Winter Challenge under favourable wet conditions
The arrival of overnight rain has alleviated Sterling Alexiou's primary concern regarding General Salute's prospects in the final black-type race of the Sydney season, following his recent victory in the Winter Stakes.All four of the gelding's previous wins have been recorded on rain-affected tracks. Earlier in the week, with Rosehill...
Burning Heartz set for Adelaide Stakes test
Trainer Gavin Bedggood envisions a future for Burning Heartz in an Oaks race, but his immediate goal is to secure some valuable Stakes black type for the filly.Burning Heartz, a winner on debut at Sandown on July 1, is now heading to Adelaide to contest the Group 3 South Australian...
King Pedro defies odds in thrilling Grafton Cup victory
King Pedro has cemented his credentials for the spring staying races following an exceptional display to win the Listed Grafton Cup, navigating a slow-paced affair.Trainer Tom Charlton, observing from his Sydney base, admitted to initial apprehension regarding the track's bias against backmarkers. These nerves were amplified when Tahlia Fenlon, on...