Coming off a debut third over 1200m, Ciaron Maher’s 3yo Ghaiyyath (IRE) gelding improved with a small step up in trip, scoring an emphatic victory in the opener of the day at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
In the field of seven, the Australian Bloodstock raced gelding started on the third line of betting, settling on the rail in the lead with the well-backed favourite Social Graces on his outside.
Leading as he like, Zahav took the field into the home straight narrowly as Social Graces and the Chris Waller trained Explosive Express (NZ) both started to assert their challenge down the outside,
Kicking strongly, the Braith Nock ridden gelding pulled away from his rivals to score an impressive victory in the lucrative maiden, crossing the line just under two and a quarter lengths ahead of the favourite Social Graces.
Working home well into third was Brad Widdup’s Home Affairs filly Belle Chanteuse, almost two lengths off the runner up.
“Good win.” said stable rep Johann Gerard-Dubord. “It's been a good week for Australian bloodstock.
“He's a lovely horse, he's taking a bit of time, but since we put the blinkers on him and just let him roll forward, we've seen a big improvement. He's always been showing a bit at home.
“He did have a bit of work to do early but he had a fairly easy time from a 600 and he gave a good kick.
“He would get a bit of ground. Most of the Ghaiyyath do and the experience from that run first up. But yeah, I thought it was a very good first up. It was probably the right race.
"Obviously, it's a good prize money race, but small field, he was in the strongest field. But yeah, I think there's a lot more to come. He's still very immature and physically and mentally there's plenty more to come, but it's a nice way to break the maiden.”
Having also ridden him on debut, jockey Braith Nock was impressed with the improvement the 3yo had made.
“I thought he was he's very good first up he seemed to be a bit more of a sit and sprint. Today I was able to sort of do a bit early and I didn't really have to bring him back.
“He's in a nice rhythm galloping along and he's got a horse with quite a big action so I think that good galloping, he had a good kick and we were able to sit on the rail to help him out being a bit inexperienced but I'm glad to get the job done with the team today.”
Purchased for just $30,000 from Book 2 Magic Millions yearling sale draft of Murrulla Stud, Zahav is the first foal of the winning, Listed Lonhro Plate third placed Medaglia d’Oro mare Testimonial, a blood-sister to G2 placed Geist and also to the dam of G1 winner Apocalyptic who returned to the winner’s stall last Saturday, as well as G3 winner Hidrix.
From the family of G1 winner Virage de Fortune, the gelding looks a bargain purchase, having already returned his purchase price back from his two starts.
Testimonial has since produced a filly by So You Think (NZ) that was sent to New Zealand, a colt by Home Affairs and is due to foal again to the Coolmore based stallion this season.
The sire of 35 international stakes performers highlighted in Australia by the former Ciaron Maher trained multiple G1 winner Observer who is covering his first book of mares this season at a fee of $33,000 (inc. GST), while his multiple G1-winning sire commands a fee of $88,000 (inc. GST), standing at Darley Kelvinside.
