Ten year old Extra Zero will be facing the starter for the 103rd time when he lines up in the $100,000 George Watson Handicap (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Extra Zero, above, is lining up for his 103rd start at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Extra Zero, above, is lining up for his 103rd start at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Extra Zero has left his senior’s card and his wheelie walker back at the stables during his last campaign which has seen him win his seventh race at his one hundredth start over the same course and distance as he is contesting this weekend.

Apprentice Jake Bayliss has been aboard Extra Zero for his last three starts and the Lindsay Park Team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig will use his 2kg allowance again on the evergreen centurion who has drawn barrier two in the eleven horse field.

Co-trainer Tom Dabernig said the stable had changed Extra Zero’s routine since his last start second to Saturday’s rival Pacodali in a Handicap over the Flemington 2000m course on July 8 and kept the gelding at their Flemington stables instead of the usual trip back to his paddock at Lindsay Park at Euroa.

“He does well wherever he is,” Dabernig told AAP.

“Sometimes with horses we race at Flemington and there’s another race a week or so later, we’ll just leave them down there.”

“It looks a good race for him again.”

Last start winner Pacodali has drawn barrier six with Michael Dee to ride and is one of four runners leading trainer Darren Weir will saddle up in the George Watson Handicap.

Weir’s other runners are the top weight Killarney Kid (Brad Rawiller, barrier 10), Loresho (Daniel Moor, 7) and Master Zephyr (Ben Allen, 9).

Beau Mertens’ mount Kilimanjaro (barrier 3) has been installed as the early favourite for the George Watson Handicap at $3.10 with Ladbrokes.com.au while Extra Zero is marked at $8.50.

 

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.