Dropping back from contesting the G1 BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) last time out and having her first start for new trainer Todd Pollard, Zuleika’s catch me if you can tactics paid off, proving too hard to run down in the $200,000 Listed BRC Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m).
The lone 3yo in the race, jockey Ashley Morgan urged Zuleika to go forward from barrier 8, and as the field passed the winning post for the first time, the filly was working forward to take up the running.
With ears pricked, Zuleika cleared out from the field, racing four lengths clear of Annabel and Rob Archibald’s French import Extraordinaire (Fr) with Brad Widdup's equal favourite Hyperbolic (NZ) in third.
Perfectly rated in front, Morgan headed for home in front, and while Hyperbolic wasn’t able to make up the necessary ground to challenge the leader, the Godolphin owned equal favourite Pinito was last turning for home and made little impression in the run to the line.
Recoding her first black type victory, and fourth win overall, Zuleika took the prize by just under a length and a half from Sun Worshipper, with Hyperbolic a further length back in third.
Becoming the second stakes winner for Todd Pollard who has only recently started training, the Eagle Farm based conditioner was over the moon.
“It's remarkable. It's all coming pretty quickly to us, so we're very happy with that. She ran in the Oaks and she's actually up with Henry Dwyer and he's obviously done a terrific job with her.
“She hasn't had much luck her last few runs and to get to the spelling paddock she came down to my stable first and then she was going to a paddock.
“I said this horse doesn't look like it went around in the Oaks on Saturday, like, it's just such a lovely type.
“So we put her out for a couple of days and had a crack at this race."
Pollard indicated the key to the filly was leading.
“She just needs to lead and she was happy out in front. She's very one-paced and she'll keep going. She'll be a 3200m horse in time.
“So she heads to the paddock now on a winning note and I think we'll have a lot of fun with her next time.
“She just keeps going and I've only had to gallop her twice and both times they've struggled to pull her up. They could almost go another lap. So, yeah we'll be mapping out some nice races, hopefully, in the summer for her.”
Riding the filly for just the first time, Morgan was suitably impressed with the effort.
“Usually you have to wear a mask to rob a bank, but they gave it to me.
“She was lovely. It got in a beautiful rhythm, especially when we got down the back and I took a pull, steadied it, went for another pull, steadied it, and I was getting no pressure.
“So I got to the half mile, started to crank it up, and she felt one coming to her in the straight and then really knuckled down, and really stuck her neck out, which is a great performance."
“She'll be a lovely four year old. She's not fully furnished yet, so a really nice star in the making.”
Taking her overall earnings to $227,500 from her ten starts, Zuleika was a $20,000 purchase for World Wide Bloodstock and Wahha from the Twin Hills Stud draft at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
Foaled and raised at Twin Hills, she is one of three winners, and first stakes winner out of the well-related Dubawi mare Epic Emirates, the Hall of Fame Bloodstock Pty Ltd-bred Zuleika is a half-sister to the G3 placed Le Havre filly Divine Comedy.
From a heavily black-type laden international family which also includes Fantastic Light’s local runners, G1 winner Mission Critical and G2-winning, G1 place Brilliant Light, Epic Emirates unfortunately passed away in May this year but has left a yearling and weanling colts by Better Than Ready.
Having stood for five seasons at Newgate Farm, Zuleika’s G3 Up And Coming Stakes winning sire North Pacific was sent to New Zealand earlier this year where it looks like he will continue his stud career.
Zuleika’s victory gave North Pacific his first stakes winner.
