Annabel Neasham's magnificent Zaaki (GB) returned triumphantly to the Sunshine Coast on Saturday to earn his third consecutive win in the $500,000 Group II Tab A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m).
After playing second fiddle to Giga Kick in the Group I All-Aged Stakes at Randwick on April 15, the 8yo son of Leroidesanimaux was back on the pedestal with a hard-fought long-neck win over Huetor (FR) (Archipenko) with a half-neck further back to Zeyrek (FR), making it a trifecta for the Europeans.
With his tenth stakes success, Zaaki (GB) advances his record to 15 wins, six seconds and nine thirds from 42 starts with earnings of $10,290,682.
"It’s not often you see James four wide without cover. To be fair, the horse just wasn’t away quickly enough, which sometimes happens,” a relieved Annabel Neashan said.
“But James knows him so well, and the horse really showed that fight. I got a bit worried at the 250 metre mark that they were going to come for him, but in the end, he still had them well held. The two horses behind him ran terrifically, but fortunately, he was still too good for them.
“Zaaki’s been lucky in that he doesn't often get in trouble in his races, he had to do a bit of work, but a nice tough run should have him in peak condition for the Doomben Cup in a fortnight.
“He’s been a pin-up horse for me. He’s taken us to places we never thought possible, especially so early in my career.
“He was the first tried horse I ever bought, and what he’s done for the stable is unbelievable.
“The owners are an amazing group; many of them are here today and we’ve had such fun with them on the journey.”
Bred by Lanwades Stud, the son of Leroidesanimaux was a 40,000gns purchase for Ahmad Alotaibi out of the Staffordstown draft at the 2016 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
Zaaki (GB) won the Group III York Strensall Stakes at York, Group III Diomed Stakes at Epsom and the Listed Paradise Stakes at Ascot when trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Zaaki.
He was a 150,000gns purchase for Blandford Bloodstock / Annabel Neasham Racing out of the Freemason Lodge Stables draft at the 2020 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale.
A half-brother to stakes-placed Kirks Ryker (Selkirk), Zaaki (GB) is the best of six winners from nine to race out of the Sadler's Wells mare Kesara, a half-sister to the dual Listed stakes-winner Persona Grata (Sir Percy).
