The $160,000 Listed ATC Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday drew a strong field of promising three year-olds with highly rated Snitzel colt Zoukerino scoring a narrow, but impressive win.
A dominant debut winner for John O’Shea last month in a midweek metro maiden, Zoukerino was jumped straight up into Black Type and kept his record perfect when diving late for Brenton Avdulla to win by a head over Spacewalk, who was stakes-placed twice in the autumn.
“That’s a very, very good performance to do that at your second start,” said John O’Shea.
“He’s taking on good company and had to overcome adversity and was so strong to the line.
“Brenton has so much confidence in him and he just rode him beautifully , so patiently.
“We’re really excited for the ownership group, John Muir who bred him is really enjoying it.”
Bred by John Muir’s Milburn Creek Stud, Zoukerino was knocked down to Suman Hedge for a sale-topping $500,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
He has now won two from two banking over $140,000 in prizemoney for his owners who include John Muir and Suman Hedge as well as Iskander Racing in whose colours he runs.
Although entered for the Golden Rose, Zoukerino won’t be rushed into anything with O’Shea indicating he would be happy to play things by ear and see how the colt pulls up.
A brother to Group III-placed Spend, Zoukerino is the fourth winner for the Hussonet (USA) mare Walk With Attitude, who carried Muir’s Brown and white checks to victory in the Listed VRC Desirable Stakes.
Suman Hedge must have high regard for Zoukerino as he and Ciaron Maher Bloodstock went to $800,000 for Walk With Attitude’s I Am Invincible filly at the Gold Coast earlier this year.
From the family of French Oaks heroine / blue hen Rafha and champion sires Invincible Spirit and Kodiac, Walk With Attitude has a weanling colt by The Autumn Sun and visited Zoustar last spring.
Zoukerino is the 124th stakes-winner for champion sire Snitzel and is his first of the new season.
