Aussie raider's Cup cruise

BY AIDAN RODLEY

On the surface, Zavite's contemptuous win in yesterday's $1 million Auckland Cup was just another example of the Aussies plundering our richest races.

But connections were doing their best to add a Kiwi flavour to the triumph.

Sydney trainer Anthony Cummings noted it was a New Zealand-bred horse, bred by Palmerston North's Fairdale Stud and by Cambridge Stud stallion Zabeel, and that the superior prizemoney of the Auckland Cup over Monday's A$400,000 Adelaide Cup, won by former New Zealand galloper Capecover, had convinced him to cross the Tasman.

''This is pretty exciting,'' Cummings said.

''Zavite has been a great horse for the stable, certainly for his owners. It's great to close the circle. I've been here buying yearlings from New Zealand for many years so it's great to take some [prizemoney] out.''

Zavite, whose ninth and most significant win yesterday took his earnings to $1.9 million, was Cummings' second New Zealand starter after [Lord] Turffontein jarred up in finishing sixth in the $1 million Telegraph Handicap at Trentham last year.

''The thing I learned from that was to come back with a horse who could handle firm ground,'' Cummings said.

Last year's Adelaide Cup winner was certainly the right horse.
He proved to be the best stayer on good ground as the leaders ensured a genuine pace, reflected in the 3:18.96 time, the fastest since Miltak in 1994.

Champion Australian jockey Damien Oliver bided his time one off the fence just worse than midfield and made a quick move soon after passing the 600m mark.

Such was his superior speed at that point, that Zavite, a $4.70 favourite, was in front soon after straightening and though Booming momentarily looked a threat, the seven-year-old gelding maintained a strong gallop to the post to score by 3 1/4 lengths.

Booming was 1 1/2 lengths clear of the late finishing Tin Goose, with last year's winner Spin Around making good ground ahead of the Waikato quartet of Minqar Qaim, Young Centaur, Six O'Clock News and Bakup.

Second favourite Heza Karma Karzi dropped out to finish last.
Cummings was thrilled with Oliver's ride.

''There were some question marks about the staying ability of a lot them. He played a waiting game and helped him carry the weight and plainly made the right move coming into the turn,'' Cummings said.

Oliver estimated it had been nine years since he last rode in New Zealand, adding the Auckland Cup to his past Gr I wins here - Ed in the 1995 Wellington Cup, So Casual in the 1998 New Zealand Derby and Zonda in the 2001 The Oaks Stud Classic at Ellerslie.

He had ridden Zavite to win a 2500m handicap at Moonee Valley carrying 60.5kg at his previous start and the $1 million stake was all the convincing he needed to ride the horse at Ellerslie.

''I rode him back further than I expected but I just wanted him to relax and when we got to the 700m, the other horses weren't going nearly as well as him so I just popped him in there,'' Oliver said.
''He's really hit form at the right time. He really put it together last run and the stable has held him in great form.''

Among the group of eight owners celebrating Zavite's win were Napier couple Gray and Juliet Clare.

Gray Clare, a self-employed entrepreneur, said the couple travelled a lot and this trip was the first trip home for two years, which made for an even more joyous homecoming.

''This is definitely not just an Aussie win. It's Kiwi-bred and he's got Kiwi connections,'' Clare said.

''This is dynamite. It's like winning your hometown event.''
Cummings bought Zavite out of Fairdale Stud's draft at the 2004 Australian Easter Yearling Sales for A$80,000.

Fairdale Stud's Gerald Fell yesterday recalled Zavite as a ''mongrel'' yearling, who had put off his son Duncan from wanting to return to the Sydney sales.

Duncan Fell said: ''It was embarrassing to bring him out. He was sweating up and climbing the walls.''

Gerald Fell added: ''I told Anthony of his short-comings but he said he wanted to buy a stayer and he's done a wonderful job to get him where he is by letting him mature.''

Cummings was amused by Fell's description of Zavite as a ''mongrel'' yearling.

''That's no rap for the horse. I had to like him if I was going to buy him and I did,'' Cummings said.

''I cut my teeth buying yearlings in New Zealand. I remember coming here as a 14-year-old with dad watching him buying yearlings and learning from him.''

Cummings' dad is Australian training icon Bart Cummings, a strong advocate of the New Zealand-bred stayer and a man noted for his ability to train 3200m winners.

Anthony Cummings will consider a Sydney Cup start for Zavite provided the tracks stay firm next month, otherwise the horse will be turned out to again target the race his father has won 12 times - the Melbourne Cup.

Zavite was 19th last year.

Palmerston North trainer Jeff Lynds was delighted with Booming's run for second and said the Gr I A$400,000 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 24 was still a likely target.
Northland trainer Donna Logan, thrilled with Tin Goose's effort for third, nominated the Gr II Brisbane Cup (2400m) as the target for her horse.

Zavite's win followed the success of Australian gallopers A Gold Trail in the Gr I $200,000 Railway Stakes  and Sister Havana in the $1 million Karaka Million, both at Ellerslie in January.

- © Fairfax NZ News