Zou Sensation avoids travel for Bletchingly Stakes bid

Following a disappointing interstate performance, the Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained gelding Zou Sensation will now stick to a strict Victorian racing program.

The gelding is set to make his return in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield this Saturday, with higher Group 1 targets potentially on the horizon later in the campaign.

Troy Corstens has stated that the horse has not performed at his best during previous interstate excursions and has declared an end to the sprinter's travel plans.

After securing a victory at Flemington on New Year's Eve and then finishing last at Caulfield in February, the Corstens and Larkin team had harboured ambitions for a Brisbane Winter Carnival campaign for Zou Sensation.

His journey saw him finish fifth at Scone in May before making his way to Brisbane. There, in his sole outing, he finished behind only one other runner in the Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) on June 6.

On an earlier trip to Queensland in January 2025, Zou Sensation achieved midfield finishes in two races, one at the Sunshine Coast and another in the Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast.

"He will never travel again, it just doesn't suit him," Corstens explained.

"I'm not sure what it is. We've tried it a couple of times, but he's just not at his best when we've travelled him, so we'll never travel with him again."

Since his return to their Flemington home base, Zou Sensation has completed two trials at Werribee.

In the first trial on July 3, he finished fourth behind Hard Kick and Cruiserweight. Last Friday, he secured a win over Evaporate in an 800m hit-out.

"He trialled really well on Friday morning," Corstens reported.

"He pulled up well, he's come through it well and we're looking forward to seeing him at Caulfield on Saturday."

Corstens indicated that the team's subsequent plans would be dictated by Zou Sensation's performance on Saturday, but the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield remains a potential objective.

"Saturday is the kick-off and you look at him and you think he is a Rupert Clarke sort of horse," Corstens commented.

"We've got to try and see if we can get him there.

"The Peter Lawrence could be next, but we'll have a look and see and we'll be guided by what he does on Saturday."

Zou Sensation has drawn barrier eight in the nine-horse field and will be ridden by Jamie Mott.

Victorian trainers will see the first starts for former Perth gallopers Cosmic Crusader and Aztec Ruler on Saturday, who have drawn barriers one and three respectively.

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