Brisbane Cup On The Agenda For Zephyron

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes revealed that the 2014 Brisbane Cup is on the agenda for tough gelding Zephyron after he returned to winning form in the Listed Lord Mayors Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Zephyron is expected to head to Queensland for the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival after scoring a tough win in the Lord Mayors Cup.

Zephyron is expected to head to Queensland for the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival after scoring a tough win in the Lord Mayors Cup. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Zephyron was rated a $15 chance heading into the Lord Mayors Cup, with I’m Imposing and Kitten On The Run the clear favourites, and settled into a nice rhythm in third position, while Madam Nash set a quick tempo at the head of the field.

Madam Nash led by about four lengths coming into the straight, but tired at the 200 metre mark and was overtaken by Zephyron, Secessio and I’m Imposing who were spread across the track.

I’m Imposing looked like the winner at the 100 metre mark, but Zephyron kicked in the final stages of the race to score his maiden win at Listed level.

Michael Hawkes told the media after the race that he was thrilled with the tough staying performance of Zephyron and said that the Zabeel gelding is likely to head to Queensland for a tilt at the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 7.

“We are thinking about the Brisbane Cup, as long as he pulls up well,” Hawkes said.

“He is showing that he wants a journey; he is that type of Zabeel, a real stayer.

“Hopefully we can get to Brisbane, the only problem is that he doesn’t like wet tracks, but today was the test and he has passed it with a good effort.”

Apprentice jockey Taylor Marshall was given the ride of Zephyron in the Lord Mayors Cup and capped off the biggest day of his racing career with a maiden win at Listed level.

Marshall rode four wins from his seven rides on the Rosehill Gardens card and admitted that he was surprised as anybody to have had such a profitable day in the saddle.

“I’m speechless to be honest,” Marshall said.

“Mr Hawkes just told me to have fun and put the horse where he was comfortable and ride for luck if I had to.

“It is a great feeling and I definitely didn’t expect it on a day like today.

“On paper they were good rides but you can’t really expect something like this to happen.”

The win was Zephyron’s first since he took out the City Jeep Patriot Handicap (2040m) at Moonee Valley at the end of last year and the fourth win of his racing career to date.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.