Zardozi set to relish quick back-up in ATC Derby
In anticipation of Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick, the connections of the formidable filly Zardozi remain unfazed by the prospect of a quick turnaround.
According to Darren Beadman, assistant to trainer James Cummings, “It was always in the back of James’ mind to have her in this race.
“She does back up very quickly, she does like soft ground and she does run well over a trip.
“She did win the Oaks over 2500 (metres) and was in a league of her own against the fillies. She is bucking her brand off.”
Zardozi, a three-year-old under the Godolphin banner, showcased her resilience by winning the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) merely six days after an unplaced run over 1400m at Sandown.
Similarly, her impressive triumph in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) last spring followed a narrow defeat in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) just five days prior.
Reflecting on Zardozi’s recent performance in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill, where she finished third behind Orchestral and Tutta La Vita, Beadman commented on the tactics employed by Nash Rawiller, who urged Tutta La Vita to take the lead earlier in the race.
“They really stretched it out when Nash took off on Tutta La Vita,” Beadman observed.
“Orchestral is obviously a very good filly and she had the mile-and-a-half run under her belt as well, so she was probably just a little more forward in her prep than our filly.”
2024 Australian Derby Final Field
1. Riff Rocket (10)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: James McDonald
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 131×1
- Age: 3YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: American Pharoah (USA)
- Dam: Missile Coda
2. Tom Kitten (3)
- T: James Cummings
- J: Adam Hyeronimus
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 6456x
- Age: 3YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Colt
- Sire: Harry Angel (IRE)
- Dam: Transfers
3. Ceolwulf (5)
- T: Joseph Pride
- J: Blake Shinn
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 266×6
- Age: 3YO
- Color: Brown
- Sex: Colt
- Sire: Tavistock (NZ)
- Dam: Las Brisas (GB)
4. Cap Ferrat (7)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Nash Rawiller
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 376×2
- Age: 3YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Colt
- Sire: Snitzel
- Dam: C’est Beau La Vie
5. Ganbare (1)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Tim Clark
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 497×3
- Age: 3YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Colt
- Sire: Maurice (JPN)
- Dam: Mardi
6. Immediacy (13)
- T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
- J: Luke Currie
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 5111
- Age: 3YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Tarzino (NZ)
- Dam: But Beautiful (IRE)
7. Wymark (14)
- T: Michael Freedman
- J: Tommy Berry
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 11112
- Age: 3YO
- Color: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Savabeel
- Dam: Pasadena (NZ)
8. Noisy Boy (8)
- T: Todd Howlett
- J: Jay Ford
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 256×0
- Age: 3YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Real Steel (JPN)
- Dam: Northern Model
9. Glad You Think So (4)
- T: John Sargent
- J: Rachel King
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 7603x
- Age: 3YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Colt
- Sire: So You Think (NZ)
- Dam: Gladwell
10. Adagio (11)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Regan Bayliss
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 14212
- Age: 3YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Pierro
- Dam: Abatha
11. Zenmaster (9)
- T: Craig Carmody
- J: Chad Schofield
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 26489
- Age: 3YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: American Pharoah (USA)
- Dam: Zenalicious
12. Hooligan Tommy (12)
- T: John Sargent
- J: Jason Collett
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 332×5
- Age: 3YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Ocean Park (NZ)
- Dam: Contrada (NZ)
13. Saxon Brave (6)
- T: Daki Chujo
- J: Joshua Parr
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 132×4
- Age: 3YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Saxon Warrior (JPN)
- Dam: Manrose Hattan