Zou Sensation ready to go in 2025 Kensington Stakes
Despite being in work for nearly 12 months, Zou Sensation continues to show enough spark to justify pressing on with his campaign.
The Troy Corstens-trained gelding has benefitted from a preparation that alternates between metropolitan racing and time away from the track, a formula that could again deliver success in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
Zou Sensation has been a regular presence on race days since May, recording 10 starts during that period including a victory in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) in August.
His most recent performance, a fourth placing in the $1 million Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham, has further strengthened Corstens’ confidence.
“It was a really good race, The Supernova, and if you said it was a group one race you’d nearly agree with that,” Corstens said.
“Ben Allen is not back (from leave) so Jamie Melham will ride.”
The gelding’s current preparation was mapped out late last year with the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) in mind.
Corstens said the use of the stable’s Geelong farm has been central to Zou Sensation’s durability.
“The thing with him is that now that we’ve got the farm, he goes up there for four or five days after each race where he works in the morning and goes out in the paddock for the day,” Corstens added.
“If I wasn’t happy with him after the four or five days I’d give him a break, but he came back bouncing.
“It is just something that really suits him and he’s been up for a year now but he has been looking for an excuse to tip him out.”
Corstens believes the system benefits both horses and owners.
“The majority of horses enjoy it – even the revy fillies. I wish I had done this ten years ago.
“I reckon we get another three or four extra runs out of them which allows our owners to get more bang for their buck.”
Zou Sensation is rated a $5 chance for the Kensington Stakes behind Persian Spirit at $1.95.
“If he shows me he needs a spell then we will but if he keeps going well then we don’t need to send him out just because we think we should,” Corstens said.
Markets for the Kensington Stakes are available through the Australian betting sites list.
More Racing News
Michael Freedman seals brilliant day with Cinsault's stakes success
Michael Freedman's bold "Hail Mary" gamble succeeded when his peak-condition mare Cinsault claimed stakes company for the first time in the Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) held at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.Owned by Godolphin, Cinsault had previously notched three wins from four summer starts in lesser company prior to Freedman entering...
Oakleigh Plate victory makes Sam Freedman's 30th birthday special via Tropicus
Tropicus gave trainer Sam Freedman a memorable Group 1 present on his 30th birthday.This four-year-old Too Darn Hot gelding claimed his debut top-flight win by powering clear of competitors in the $750,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) held at Caulfield on Saturday.Freedman and his father Anthony, co-trainers, had Tropicus as their secondary...
Ninja lands Hobartville Stakes after tough Magic Millions run
Putting the agony of an unfortunate defeat in the Magic Millions Guineas behind him, Ninja has notched up wins against prominent foes to capture the Group Two Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill.In his last start at the Gold Coast, the colt raced wide due to his outside gate but battled gamely,...
Streisand triumphs in Caulfield's Blue Diamond Stakes
Clinton McDonald has reclaimed his status as 'King of the Kids' for the second time in three years, courtesy of Streisand's victory in Victoria's leading two-year-old event at Caulfield.The trainer took the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) two years back with the tragic Hayasugi, and it was again a...
Ambitious plans ahead for Piggyback following Rosehill success
Consistent long-distance runner Piggyback has positioned herself for a potential Group One weight-for-age challenge during autumn after a dominant performance in the Parramatta Cup at Rosehill.Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord to Ciaron Maher indicated various paths forward for the five-year-old mare, among them the Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill come March...
Futurity Stakes delivers Pericles breakthrough Group 1 success
The resilient gelding Pericles shed his Group 1 maiden status by grabbing a well-deserved top-level victory in the $750,000 Futurity Stakes on Saturday at Caulfield.Six heartbreaking placings at the highest grade—including a runner-up effort in the Futurity Stakes two seasons prior—were put behind him as the Street Boss six-year-old saluted...
Dominant Silver Slipper win catapults Stretan Ruler towards Golden Slipper
Phillip Stokes, the Pakenham trainer, admitted to getting disoriented at Rosehill Gardens, yet his exceptional colt Stretan Ruler navigated straight to an authoritative triumph in Saturday's Group 2 $300,000 Silver Slipper (1100m).Stretan Ruler demanded respect by blistering around the 1100m in 1:03.64s, finishing 3-1/2 lengths clear of Sydney's leading juveniles."I...
Buckaroo welcomes Jye McNeil for Futurity Stakes return
Cox Plate placegetter Buckaroo will have jockey Jye McNeil back on board for his opening outing of the autumn series at Caulfield.The gelding heads into the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, piloted by McNeil.In the gelding's tally of 31 career starts, McNeil has only been aboard...
Walker team warming to Geegees Mistruth ahead of Caulfield feature
Mark Walker's Cranbourne stable has developed an increasing fondness for Geegees Mistruth the longer she has been in their care.The four-year-old, bred in Tasmania, transferred to the Walker outfit last spring following preparation by Stuart Gandy.With six successes in 15 races, Geegees Mistruth remains without a mainland triumph, but hopes...
Berry confident in Ninja's Hobartville Stakes bid
Premier jockey Tommy Berry reckons a Queensland summer campaign has reshaped the previously unruly Ninja, placing his trust in the gelding to match the top three-year-olds at Rosehill.During his Queensland stint, Ninja raced three times, claiming victory in the Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) at Eagle Farm and battling from a...