Jockey Tommy Berry is pleased to have picked up the ride on Zelady’s Night Out, when the classy Queensland raider returns to racing in Saturday’s Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.
Tommy Berry will take the ride on Zelady’s Night Out in Saturday’s Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Daniel Costello
Zelady’s Night Out more than stamped herself as a filly to follow upon debuting for leading trainer Tony Gollan in the late stages of 2015, but was returned to the paddock after failing to fire or beat a single runner home in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on March 5th.
The Myboycharlie filly has trialled exceptionally well north of the border in the lead-up to her competitive return and Berry believes she is primed for a smart preparation through the forthcoming Spring Racing Carnival.
“She’s had two really strong trials in Brisbane,” Berry told Racing Ahead.
“One was against her own age and the other was against the older horses, and she blew them away on both occasions.
“The Gollan team had a massive wrap on this horse as a two-year-old heading towards the Magic Millions. It’s had a bit of a break and has come back much better and muck stronger.
“She’s a really exciting horse going forward.”
Zelady’s Night Out was purchased for only $65,000 at the 2015 Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling sale, but has already amassed more than $200,000 in prize money; owing to an impressive three race wins from five career starts.
Jumping from the gates well in the 4-Game Flexi Membership Handicap (1050m) on debut in November, jockey Jim Byrne allowed Zelady’s Night Out to stride forward and take up the running; experiencing a strong run in transit before mustering a scintillating turn of foot to find the line close to five lengths in the clear of closest rival Rainy Day Woman.
Making a successful transition to black type company when taking out the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes (1050m) by two-and-a-half lengths second-up on December 12th, the filly out of Zelady undoubtedly produced a career-best effort to date when she won the Group 3 McLachlan Stakes (1200m) on the Gold Coast on Boxing Day.
Zelady’s Night Out was rated a reasonable chance of success in the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2.y.o Classic (1200m) on January 9th, but faded in the final straight to finish ninth behind Capitalist.
The 2016 Silver Shadow Stakes field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, today (Wednesday August 17th).
