Neasham Wishes Cox Plate Was Run Now

Sydney's Annabel Neasham has one of the best racehorses in the country and, for a trainer who's still in her first season, she is well aware of how deeply blessed she is to be in charge of imported gelding Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux-Kesara, by Sadler's Wells). Sent off at $1.26 in Saturday's first running of the Gr2 Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm, the Tattersalls-purchased tried horse wasn't as impressive to the naked eye when eased up to win by 1.5-lengths, but the additional 200m and a longer run home were probably not quite to his liking. Nonetheless, after monstering his rivals in the Hollindale Stakes (1800m) and Doomben Cup (2000m), he still looks a difficult weight-for-age prospect to overcome in October's Gr1 Cox Plate even if the jury is out on what he's beaten to date. According to punters.com.au, Neasham enthused of the horse she tossed into the Doncaster without a lead-up run: "He's held on to his condition and form, I just wish the Cox Plate was in two weeks. I've loved him from day one. From day one he's looked like he's going to be a star." Just how big will be franked when Zaaki returns in the spring.