Change Of Track The Key For Zarantz In Bunbury Cup Posted on March 16, 2016 | Posted by Julio Santarelli Lindsey Smith is banking on a change of venue to snap Zarantz back to winning form ahead of the Listed $120,000 XXXX-Gold Bunbury Cup (2200m) on Thursday. The Choisir gelding has raced with success at Northam, Pinjarra and Belmont, collecting five wins from 24 starts, but Ascot has proven to be his nemesis. Zarantz has had six attempts at Perth’s home of racing, including two starts back this preparation, but he has yet to command victory or a top three finish. “All I have to go on is the track and he has never looked like running a hole at Ascot,” Smith said on TABradio. “He just doesn’t go there, but if you take him to other tracks he is a consistent horse. “I know it’s a weak excuse but it does happen.” Two years ago Zarantz won four consecutive races between 1600m and 2200m and last winter at Belmont he collected one win and six placings from seven starts over similar trips. Despite his competence over a middle distance journey the five-year-old has been virtually ignored by punters and is currently one of the outsiders of the 13-horse field at $41. Smith, who is chasing his second Bunbury Cup triumph after combining with Belarus and jockey, Alana Williams in 2007, said Zarantz deserved to be considered among the chances. “I thought he was going to go on and be a Perth Cup horse after he won a race at Northam, because he let down and just exploded,” Smith said. “I haven’t seen that again, but I can fault his work and I’m just hoping it’s the track. “I think he is worth including in your novelties.” Smith also has solid each way claims with, Cougar Express, rated a $10 chance with the TAB. The son of Danehill Express led the field before fading to fourth behind Uncle George at Ascot on Saturday. It followed four consecutive placings after he defeated Galaxy Prince by a head (2400m) at Ascot in January. Smith said he would add the blinkers to Cougar Express in a bid to find the key winning edge. “He has won with them before (blinkers) and I have to find an extra length or two,” Smith said. “I’m hoping it can rattle his cage and give him a bit more focus.” Joseph Azzopardi rides Cougar Express from barrier seven. Kyra Yuill and Zarantz will combine from gate 12 with the scratchings of pre-race favourite, Angola and Saxapak.
Shayne Williams’ Wednesday Greyhound Best Bets October 23, 2024 MANDURAH Race 4 No. 1 Katitjin Going to kick things off tonight in a maiden which is always dangerous, but on what looks a tough… Read More
Scott Embry’s Thursday Geraldton Preview October 22, 2024 RACE 1 WINEACLOCKSUMWHERE ran fourth on debut behind Real Deluxe (now a 60+ Graduation winner) and then went to York when finishing second behind Mai… Read More
Scott Embry’s Wednesday Belmont Preview October 22, 2024 RACE 1 LUCKY I AM is a jump and run filly who should have no troubles finding the fence over the 1000. She ran third… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Wednesday Geelong Preview October 22, 2024 Race 1 FOLLOWING SEA has returned in great form and can make his own luck. MUKTAMIL is holding his form well and wont lack anything… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Tuesday Greyhound Best Bets October 22, 2024 MANDURAH Race 6 No. 3 Seahorn Freshened up and a drop back to 400 looks ideal for this girl, showed great early burn last 3… Read More
Matt Young’s Tuesday Gloucester Park Preview October 22, 2024 Race 1 HEARTOFAHLIA (2) has improved recently and is searching for her second win, she has run strongly in her last 4 runs and each… Read More
It Pays To Follow October 21, 2024 Wednesday, October 16 @ Ascot Race 2 – WAR MATTERS In four starts prior to last week, WAR MATTERS had not finished better than sixth…. Read More
Shayne Williams’ Monday Greyhound Best Bets October 21, 2024 NORTHAM Race 6 No. 1 Starlight Ariel Had her fare share of racing in recent times, really grows a leg when she draws in, two… Read More
Matt Young’s Monday Pinjarra Preview October 21, 2024 Race 1 SUNNYS LITTLE ROSE (5) has been racing in consistent form, she made a rare error last time out and appears to be even… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Kalgoorlie Preview October 18, 2024 RACE 1 NO WHISPERING and ONEMOREFORLEO come through the same last five races as each other and there hasn’t been much between them on those… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Saturday Greyhound Best Bets October 18, 2024 MANDURAH Race 3 No. 2 Motor City Rossi Led for fun off the pink last week, only to be run down late, looks like he… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Saturday Caulfield Preview October 18, 2024 Race 1 Significant rain forecast in the lead up to the meeting could have a major impact on the track rating and any pattern. SUGAR… Read More