Baller gives Mark Zahra winning treble at Flemington
The Queenslanders have had an enjoyable Victorian Spring Carnival, and that run of form continued on Saturday at Flemington when the Tony Gollan-trained Baller took out the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m).
The seven-year-old gelding won his second Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) at Eagle Farm back in June, so connections have now be rewarded for bypassing the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and keeping him fresh for a spring preparation.
The son of High Chaparral switched back to the inside part of the track at the 200m mark, setting out after straight track specialists The Astrologist and this year’s Newmarket Handicap (1200m) winner Roch ‘N’ Horse, before prevailing under strong riding by an in-form Mark Zahra.
2022 Bobbie Lewis Quality Race Replay
Zahra, who had already won the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and the Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m), said it meant a lot to ride a winning treble on a Group 1 race meeting.
“It’s great. Obviously I have a lot of holidays and focus on the big racing times of the year,” Zahra said.
“I’ve had a bit of a slow start to the season but to win a couple of big races today means a lot.”
After being a touch slowly away from barrier one, Zahra said it probably worked out in his favour as it allowed him to get some cover and a nice cart into the race, which allowed him to sprint quickly when it mattered.
“He’s an absolute gentleman of a horse, he gave me a beautiful ride and I was in there a while while they were fixing the bridle on Veraskova, he just stood there so quiet and it might have helped because I was just a fraction slow away, which was good because I was able to get some cover,” the jockey continued.
“Even though I was on the inside of them, I was on the back of Swats That and I stayed there as long as I could and when I came out, Veranskova came with me and I gave him a shake and he give a really good kick, a great kick.”
Part-owner Clive McKerr was on course at Flemington and suggested that the horse will now go to the Gilgai Stakes and then possibly the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) where he is a $26 chance with online bookmakers.