Andre Poutama lets Zealand Star loose at the Pukekohe workouts.
Zealand Star could be the tote-toppler for a memorable New Year’s Eve
By Barry Lichter • 28 December 2018
At first glance Zealand Star would seem to have little chance in the fifth race at Alexandra Park on Monday.
But while his 84848 formline looks the worst in the race, and he starts from a second row draw against some very progressive opposition, he’s a much better prospect than his big odds will suggest.
Zealand Star has not paced a bad race since owner Merv Butterworth sent him north to Lincoln Farms from Lauren Pearson’s Winton stable.
- First-up he became buried on the markers and went to the line hard held with nowhere to go, only 3.7 lengths from the winner Solid Gold.
- At his next start on December 14 he ran fourth, pacing a sizzling 2:40.1 behind Ideal Star.
- And last time he finished eighth over a mile, just 5.2 lengths from winner Bounty Lady, a herculean performance after breaking as the gate left and settling 60 metres from the leaders.
Zealand Star clocked by far the fastest last 800 metres in that race, 55.6, with a red hot 27.6 third quarter.
On Monday the inside second row draw could actually be a godsend for this true-blue sit-sprinter as he follows out gate flier American Empress.
Three starts back, from the same ace draw, Sailesh Abernethy gunned American Empress out to lead a strong field in the Northern Breeders’ Stakes.
A repeat of those tactics could see Zealand Star land a dream trail and allow him to use his good turn of foot up the passing lane.
Trainer Ray Green reports Zealand Star has trained stylishly this week, a likely result of his hocks being injected.
“His hocks had been worrying him and he trained very well this morning and is looking very good.
“It’s all about draws and trips - not many can get a bad trip and excel - and while there are some nice types against him, if he could get a trail he’d be a chance.’’
Zachary Butcher takes the reins on Monday from junior driver Andrew Drake.
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Ray’s comments
Wednesday at Cambridge
Race 3: Spiritual Bliss
1.10pm
“You can’t fault what she’s done up here and she’s trained on really well since Manawatu. She seems to have a good motor and can carry her speed a long way. It’s a bit of a step-up on Wednesday, and she’s drawn out a bit, but she should be right in the fray.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lover
1.45pm
“It’s a huge drop in class for him on what he’s been racing. The Purdon horse Crippa Max looks the one to beat on his trial but I’m picking we’ll finish in the first three at worst. He’s very honest and does nothing wrong.”
Race 6: Lincoln Downs
2.55pm
“She got skittled early last time when one galloped in front of her, and that didn’t help. It would be nice to see her get a good trip, with no incidents, and see what she can do. She’s no superstar but she tries hard.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
4.31pm
“It’s his first race for more than four months and I’m picking he’ll need the run. It was a toss-up whether we went to the trials, but he’d probably have had no opposition, so it made sense to drop him in here. He’s training well and seems in good shape but whatever he does, he’ll improve on.”
