Andrew Ramsden next for Zakouma in pursuit of Cup waiver
Zakouma's connections hadn't eyed the Flemington Melbourne Cup qualifier until after his latest appearance at the track.
With three consecutive successes behind him, the gelding travelled to Flemington for Anzac Day duties, tipped to secure the 2000m benchmark 100 feature as the market's clear pick.
Yet the race unfolded as a ordeal for Grahame Begg's charge, stuck on the inside near the back and unable to find clear running space before the final furlong.
Eschewing a spell and spring targeting, the plan now is to run Zakouma in Saturday's Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington.
The Andrew Ramsden stands as the second of 10 such events granting entry waivers to the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November at Flemington.
According to Begg, the recent Flemington run acted like a 2000m gallop test, but the fixed-weight setup troubles him given Zakouma's raw stayer ability matches that of Sydney Cup conqueror Changingoftheguard.
"He's got to go the distance and he's not well-weighted under the conditions," Begg said.
"I don't understand why it's a set-weights race.
"Outside three-year-old Classic races, I can't think of one, while the winner gets free passage into the Melbourne Cup and then goes back to a handicap, so why not make this a handicap."
Since arriving at Begg's stable from Pat Carey and Harris Walker at Mornington, Zakouma hasn't tested further than 2000m.
As a three-year-old, he was second at 2200m in Bairnsdale and fourth over 2400m at Caulfield before the switch.
Begg seeks a genuine rhythm on Saturday, positioning Zakouma with cover as the gelding strives to prove his staying power.
"Changingoftheguard rolls forward, Sir Kingsford rolls forward, so I think they'll go a good enough clip and normally at the 700 (metres) in these races, the wave starts coming," Begg said.
"What we'll try to do is put him to sleep, give him some clean air, and give him one crack at them.
"Whether he's up to the task and can run the journey, that's something we'll find out on Saturday.
"But he goes to the race in good order."
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