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’ Saturday Greyhound Best Bets July 27, 2024 MANDURAH Race 1 No. 1 West On Madge Lightly raced daughter of Melbourne cup winner Koblenz, was very good winning off the 8 box last… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Kalgoorlie Preview July 26, 2024 RACE 1 MISS DE BEERS ran second to Kraken Time first-up and with that galloper going around favourite in a 3 year old 1400 on… Read More
Chris Pike’s Boomers Olympics Preview: Game 1 July 26, 2024 Game 1 v Spain (5pm WST Saturday 27th July) Coming off winning bronze in Tokyo, there’s plenty of spotlight on the Australian Boomers at the… Read More
Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 20 July 26, 2024 FRIDAY Carlton v Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium, 5.40pm Now would be a great time for Port Adelaide to display considerable starch defensively. They have never… Read More
Weekend Tipsters July 26, 2024 Caulfield Saturday Warren Huntly Quaddie 4 5 1 11 – 2 5 – 7 2 1 9 – 6 12 9 Best Bets 1-2 Dom… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Saturday Caulfield Preview July 26, 2024 Race 1 Rain forecast during the day could see the track downgraded from the likely early good rating. DOM quickened impressively on debut over this… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Friday Greyhound Best Bets July 26, 2024 MANDURAH Race 4 No. 4 Hinto What a marvel this dog is, age shall not weary them, rising 4 year old and probably in career… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Belmont Preview July 25, 2024 RACE 1 SUPERNATURAL is the full sister to sharp sprinter Supersession and has shown ability at trials. In her most recent Lark Hill heat the… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview July 25, 2024 RACE 1 Racing at Randwick on Saturday should be close to being run on a Good rated surface, wouldn’t that be nice. Good looking 2yo… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Doomben Preview July 25, 2024 RACE 1 Racing at Doomben kicks off with a 1350m 3yo. Nos.1, 2 & 5 all met here a fortnight back running the placings in… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Roebourne Preview July 25, 2024 RACE 1 DE LOVELY LAD had won two of his last three, one at Broome and one at Marble Bar and in between he has… Read More
Scott Embry’s Friday Broome Preview July 25, 2024 RACE 1 SQUILLIONAIRE is a last start winner (beating Ginger Jones) this track/distance/grade. She’s obviously had a set back as she comes into this 7… Read More