The ultra-consistent Extra Zero looks likely to get another chance to win his maiden Group 1 with co-trainer Tom Dabering leaning towards sending the eight year old to Sydney for the Group 1 $1.5m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill.
Extra Zero is likely to head to Sydney for The BMW at Rosehill. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.
Extra Zero was nosed out by his stablemate Spillway in the closest of finishes to receive his second Group 1 runner’s-up cheque in the $1m Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 14.
The Danzero gelding’s other Group 1 placing came during his three year old season when second to Monaco Consul in the 2009 Group 1 $1.5m Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington.
Extra Zero was also an acceptor for the Listed $350,000 Mornington Cup (2400m) at Mornington on Saturday but Dabernig said that with the track drying out in Sydney the veteran would most likely head north.
“At acceptance time Rosehill was rated a heavy eight which is why we also accepted for the Mornington Cup but the forecast in Sydney for the rest of the week is fine so he’s 95% going to the BMW,” Dabernig told racing.com.
“He’s a tough old horse and at this stage of his preparation he’s very fit and it’s just a matter of keeping him happy.
“2400m probably hasn’t been his best distance but I think he’s in career-best form and with the way he’s finishing his races off he can run the trip.”
Even though Extra Zero has only won five times from seventy-three starts, he has proven to be a great money spinner for the Lindsay Park team and has only been out of the placings on two occasions from his last eighteen starts.
Included among that statistic is a win six runs back in a 2000m Flemington Handicap on New Year’s Day.
Michael Walker has been booked to ride Extra Zero in the The BMW and he will jump from the inside gate in the twelve horse field.
Extra Zero almost caused the Group 1 upset of the century when he was denied victory at $101 in the Australian Cup and will be at long odds again in The BMW.
Ladbrokes.com.au has listed Extra Zero as a $26 chance in the market order that has the top Japanese galloper To The World as the $2.60 favourite just ahead of the John O’Shea trained Hartnell at $3.60.
Lucia Valentina is also in the betting at $9 with Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist marked at $10.
