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.
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