TAB Champions Stakes (Group 1)

A WINNER of the Group 1 MacKinnon Stakes last year, Zaaki repeated the effort at Flemington in the renamed A$3 million Champions Stakes.

Zaaki took control from the 2,000-metre start, holding the rail from barrier one as the Cox Plate winner Anamoe drifted back to mid-field.

Unencumbered in front, Jamie Kah was allowed to control the tempo, playing to Zaaki’s strengths. Slowing the field mid-race she let loose with 600 metres to go. The race had flown.

Too strong in the sprint to the line, the Leroidesanimaux won by a half-length, as second and third across the line were later reversed in the stewards room.

Zaaki’s stablemate the Savabeel horse Mo’unga, took second ahead of the Shocking gelding Hezashocka with race favourite Annamoe in fourth.

Superstar

“Isn’t he just a superstar,” said Jamie Kah. “It was a hot race and he’s been running against them every second week and just things haven’t gone our way. The day has just made it so much more special, I’ve got my beautiful parents here.

“Not to be riding during the carnival last year to winning a Group 1 on one of the biggest days of racing is just an unbelievable feeling.”

Kah also had some special admiration for trainer Annabel Neasham. “She’s a beautiful woman, she’s a fantastic lady to ride for. She doesn’t fill your head with too many instructions.

“What she’s been able to do with her stable, to build it up to a dynasty, she’s got so many classy horses, so much faith in her team, it’s hard not to have faith in her horses, they’re flying at the moment, she deserves it all, she’s fantastic.”

THE Epsom winner Ellsberg broke the 1,800 metre course record at Rosehill to take out the inaugural A$2 million Five Diamonds on Saturday.

The aptly named Spill The Beans horse (named after Daniel Ellsberg, the former US military analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers which led to the Watergate scandal) Ellsberg needed all of Tommy Berry’s urgency to defy the strong finishing Dark Angel gelding Sibaaq, the pair finishing two-lengths clear of the Iffraaj gelding Luncies.

“He is really stepping up this preparation. We always thought he was a pretty handy horse, but he’s gone to a new level this preparation,” said Sterling Alexiou who trains Ellsberg in partnership with Gerald Ryan.

“It’s pretty special to win this race for Gerald,” said Tommy Berry. “I haven’t ridden a lot for him over the years but (late brother) Nathan used to ride for him all the time. Gerald said to me about 10 years ago that I will ride a Group 1 winner for him one day. The Five Diamonds isn’t a Group 1 race but it sure feels like one.”

JUST as White Marlin impressed on Cup day for the 2023 edition, the Frankel gelding Soulcombe was equally eye-catching, waltzing to a two-length win in the Group 3 Queen’s Cup over 2,600 metres on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival, rebranded as Champions Day and now arguably a better day of racing than Derby Day.

Debuting in Australia for new trainer Chris Waller having been bought by an Ozzie Kheir-led syndicate from the stable of William Haggis, Soulcombe was sent out the short-priced favourite and never looked in doubt.

“I was really confident coming in. We had no weight, he’s a really nice horse and there’s a lot to like about him,” said jockey Craig Williams.

“It’s exciting to win on the new concept of Champions Day. He had a good profile from England, and they found the right horse with the right rating.

“They look like they’re setting themselves up making this the best horse he can possibly be and that will be in six to 12 months.

New Zealand

Pier takes Guineas win

OZZIE Kheir’s scout’s don’t miss much, they identified Pier as a prospect following a trial before and acquired a 25% stake after his debut win in a 1,050 metre at Matamata in late August.

Three starts later Pier, trained by Darryn Weatherley and his daughter Briar Weatherley with Michael McNab in the saddle, landed a tenacious win in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton Park on Saturday.

“That’s everything to me,” said Weatherley who along with his wife Lou part-own and bred the Proisir gelding.

“I never won a Group 1 as a jockey and that is something that irked me. It has played on my mind for a long time, so to get one with my whole family here is a huge result and definitely the highlight of my career.

“We bred him (along with Barry Wright) and his grand-dam (Naturo) ran fifth in the 1000 Guineas, so for her grandson to come out and win this one is quite special.”

Winning by a half-head off the back of a Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas victory Pier defeated the Pride Of Dubai gelding Desert Lightning and the Proisir filly Prowess.