Zebra's chance to earn Group 1 stripes

Posted by RS NewsWire at 2:01pm on May 20th
Back-to-back wins could force trainers to raise ambitions with professional juvenile Le Zebra

The Cranbourne trainer will now consider sending the two-year-old north for next month's $500,000 J J Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm.

The 1400-metre Flemington win followed victory over 1300m at Sandown on May 6 and while Browne is leaning towards spelling Le Zebra and setting for spring's three-year-old features, the gelding has forced he and co-trainer wife Emma-Lee Browne to consider a trip north.

"We'll possibly put him away, possibly, but we might look maybe at going to Queensland," Browne said.

"I think he's earned a path there if we want to go there, but we'll just make sure he comes through it right."

Le Zebra ($4.40) took his record to two wins from four starts with his one-length all-the-way victory over Mojave Desert ($9). Stellar Mofeed ($14) was three-quarters-of-a-length away third.

Le Zebra has appreciated the step up in distance from two starts over 1200m to start his career and Browne is confident the son of Rip Van Winkle's best will be seen over further.

"We think he's a pretty tidy horse because he's going to get over a bit more ground too, which is going to be perfect for him," he said.

"There is a lot more in store for him because we haven't really got into him properly yet. We've just let him do it naturally."

Blake Shinn, who rode Le Zebra on debut when fourth to Amur at The Valley in January, took over from Mark Zahra, who was aboard for the Sandown win, and has been taken with his professionalism.

"He's just an unphased, uncomplicated horse with good talent," Shinn said.

He's a Zebra & he knows how to win!Le Zebra goes back-to-back for @Em_spartaracing @blake_shinn pic.twitter.com/JWL2tJeUxo

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