Zarzuela underdone

BY AIDAN RODLEY, RACING EDITOR

Mark Walker says Zarzuela has untapped ability but he doesn't intend exploring any boundaries in tomorrow's Gr III $70,000 HS Dyke Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa.

The Matamata trainer has a high opinion of the Zabeel filly, a dashing last start winner of the Gr II Great Northern Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

Walker allowed the filly two weeks off after that race and she will go into tomorrow's race lacking the hard fitness of many of her rivals.

While her class could well carry her close to victory, Walker has only moderate expectations for tomorrow's race.

''We're happy with her but she's going to improve out of it,'' Walker said.

''She's at a good stage of her preparation but she'll be looking even better in five weeks' time. She's drawn out a bit [barrier 14 in the 14-horse field] and she'll have to settle back from the draw.

''I'd be looking for her to be running on a bit, finishing in the first five and taking fitness out of it for the Derby.''

Walker declared the $2.2 million New Zealand Derby as his main target for Zarzuela after she unleashed a dazzling sprint to defy the talented Prince Of Wales in the Great Northern Guineas last start.

She was desperately unlucky not to win her previous start in the Listed Great Northern Guineas Prelude at Ellerslie earlier in December when she produced a similarly spirited late bid only to be denied a straight run when Sophia Babe shifted out.

Connections protested but the Judicial Control Authority panel deemed the interference insufficient to warrant a change of placings.

Bred and raced by David Paykel out of his Gr I-winning mare Star Satire, Zarzuela has won twice and twice finished second in six starts.

Her two unplaced runs were at Te Aroha on debut over 1200m and her eighth placing in the Gr I Levin Classic (1600m) at Otaki in November.

Walker believes that race was Zarzuela's turning point.

''Even though she went no good in the [Levin] Classic, that big trip away really toughened her mentally,'' Walker said.

''She's going to improve with maturity but she's got a good brain on her, she's got a good constitution and potentially she could be anything. She keeps stepping up.''

Zarzuela galloped between races at Te Aroha last Friday in the hands of tomorrow's raceday rider James McDonald and has since pleased Walker with her trackwork at Matamata.

''She had a week off after the Guineas at Ellerslie and a week at Kit Davison's for pre-training and she's returned in wonderful order,'' Walker said.

''She's had six weeks between races and I won't be surprised if she doesn't win because she'll improve enormously out of it.''

TAB bookmaker Thad Taylor said last night that Zarzuela was likely to open favourite when the final field market was released today with Maciano and Military Move prominent in the market.

Zarzuela heads the market for the $2.2 million New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 6 at $5, ahead of Monaco Consul at $5.50 with Maciano and Corporal Jones both at $10. Military Move is longer at $21.

Safely through tomorrow's race Zarzuela will contest the Gr II $85,000 Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie on February 20 before going on to the Derby.

Walker also has Martial Art and Roman Gladiator in Derby contention, though Walker said Roman Gladiator was in danger of not earning sufficient stake money to qualify for a start.

Walker will also saddle Rio Fortune in a strong field for the $12,000 Te Rapa Rugby Seafood Bazaar 1200 at Te Rapa and Waikato Times Gold Cup runner-up Minqar Qaim in the $14,000 Te Rapa Rugby Super Liquor Te Rapa 1400.

Minqar Qaim was set to contest the 1600m restricted open handicap at Te Teko on Monday before the race was canned through lack of entries.

He is preparing for the $1 million Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie on March 10.

Further south Walker will produce Listed $45,000 Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) favourite Zabene at Wingatui confident of a bold showing, while Primo Quest will tackle the Listed $45,000 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) seeking a black-type placing, though Walker considers Coup Align ''a certainty'' in that race.

His other weekend runners are Caparison in the Gr III $70,000 White Robe Lodge Stakes (1600m) at Wingatui, where Electrify and Shacuse feature on the undercard, while Reason And Rhyme contests a maiden race at Tauherenikau on Sunday for Singapore owner Jayven See, who bought the $1 million Fastnet Rock colt out of Popsy at the Karaka yearling sales on Monday.

- © Fairfax NZ News