Zaaki wins $1.2m Q22 to complete Queensland hat-trick
The inaugural running of The Q22 will be one that is remembered for many years to come, with up-and-coming star Zaaki making a mess of his rivals in the $1,200,000 feature at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Annabel Neasham-trained gelding lived up to his $1.30 starting price to make it a hat-trick of wins in Queensland, getting up by one-and-a-half lengths under very light riding from James McDonald.
Zaaki put up one of the wins of the 2020/21 racing season when romping home by seven lengths in the Group 1 Doomben Cup three weeks earlier, which put him right on the map for newly established trainer Neasham.
“I just saw the slow-mo of James grinning over the line, that was great,” she said.
While there were some doubts over the six-year-old’s ability to run out a strong 2200m, the only issue Neasham saw was the extra 15 seconds of waiting.
“I think I prefer the 2000m; it’s not as long to watch, it’s not as long a straight at Doomben, but he never really looked in doubt,” she said.
There was no seven-length margin on Saturday, but he did look to have plenty of gas left in the tank by the end of it, with McDonald noticeably looking after the son of Leroidesanimaux.
Too good again. 😍
Zaaki pulls clear to win the Q22. 👌🏻
(🎥 via @7horseracing)pic.twitter.com/ARj6Rr42Ft
— Racing.com (@Racing) June 12, 2021
“He just had to do what he had to do,” Neasham said.
“I’m just so lucky to have a horse like this – I can’t believe I’ve got a horse like this so early on.
“I’ve loved him from day one; from day one he’s looked like he’s going to be a star.”
Zaaki has now had five Australian starts for three wins and a second, as well as a sixth-place effort in the Doncaster Mile on his Australian debut.
“You don’t run them in the Doncaster first-up unless you have a big opinion of them, and he’s just held on to his condition and form,” Neasham said.
“I just wish the Cox Plate was in two weeks.”
Zaaki will now head for a well-earned rest before coming back in the spring, with his main target being the Cox Plate on October 23rd.
Zaaki is a $3.50 favourite for the Moonee Valley feature, leaving McDonald with a big decision to make: Zaaki or Verry Elleegant?