The Annabel Neasham-trained import Zaaki was huge winning the A.D. Hollindale Stakes 2021 on the Gold Coast with ease putting away a class field at just his third start down under on way to the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m).
Zaaki will attempt the AD Hollindale – Doomben Cup double last completed by Streama (pictured). Photo: Steve Hart.
The British-bred six-year-old was well-ed by the punters to take out this year’s Group 2 $500,000 A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m) having been dropped back in distance from his lead-up second behind Paths Of Glory at Randwick on April 24 in the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m).
It proved a winning move by Neasham as Zaaki was given a wonderfully-timed ride on-speed by star Sydney hoop James McDonald.
“Gee, J Mac’s the best for a reason, it was a beautiful ride,” Neasham told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-win when quick to credit James McDonald.
“He (Zaaki) is quite a strong traveller and once he got in that spot, I was quite confident he’d be hard to beat.
“That’s when he’s at his best, when he’s fresh and dropped back to the 1800m.”
Eighty-to-one roughie Tiptronic charged out to lead the Hollindale field around, while Zaaki settled fourth in the run getting a beautiful trail into the race.
The outsider in betting was still in the lead with 600m to go, while McDonald began his move on the heavily-backed favourite getting Zaaki up into third approaching the turn.
Onto the straight it was Zaaki on the outside of the Chris Waller-trained Shared Ambition, before the eventual champion shot clear and charged out to a huge lead over the final furlong.
Absolutely bolting home, Zaaki ($3.60F) still had over two lengths to spare on the line over the fast finishing Fifty Stars ($9) who was good late narrowing the gap from a mid-field run with William Pike aboard.
Waller’s last start Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) winner – when ridden by McDonald – out of Sydney Shared Ambition ($16) rounded out the trifecta in third with Jim Byrne in the saddle.
Zaaki looks to have a huge future in Australia off the commanding Hollindale win where he easily put away a quality field on what was far from his preferred racing surface.
“He’s much better on firm ground,” Neasham warned rivals.
“Hopefully, if we get a firm track, in the Doomben Cup we might see an even better performance.”
The mare Streama (2014) was the last galloper to complete the A.D. Hollindale Stakes – Doomben Cup double.
All-in Doomben Cup 2021 betting at Ladbrokes.com.au on the $700,000 held on May 22nd has Zaaki listed as the $4.80 favourite with full markets available here.
2021 A.D. Hollindale Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | ZAAKI (GB) | Annabel Neasham | James McDonald | 12 | 59kg | $3.60F | |||
| 2 | 1 | FIFTY STARS (IRE) | Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes | William Pike | 2.25L | 10 | 59kg | $9 | ||
| 3 | 6 | SHARED AMBITION (IRE) | Chris Waller | Jim Byrne | 2.45L | 7 | 59kg | $16 | ||
| 4 | 2 | AVILIUS (GB) | James Cummings | Nash Rawiller | 4.45L | 8 | 59kg | $4.60 | ||
| 5 | 4 | HUMIDOR (NZ) | Chris Waller | Michael Rodd | 4.65L | 3 | 59kg | $41 | ||
| 6 | 11 | TOFFEE TONGUE (NZ) | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 5.15L | 5 | 57kg | $21 | ||
| 7 | 5 | MISTER SEA WOLF (IRE) | Chris Waller | Luke Dittman | 5.25L | 1 | 59kg | $26 | ||
| 8 | 8 | TIPTRONIC (NZ) | Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall | Glen Boss | 6.75L | 2 | 59kg | $81 | ||
| 9 | 3 | HOMESMAN (USA) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Jye McNeil | 6.95L | 13 | 59kg | $12 | ||
| 10 | 9 | MELODY BELLE (NZ) | Jamie Richards | Opie Bosson | 7.05L | 14 | 57kg | $7 | ||
| 11 | 13 | VANNA GIRL | Toby & Trent Edmonds | Mark Zahra | 7.25L | 9 | 57kg | $14 | ||
| 12 | 10 | NETTOYER | Wendy Roche | Ben Thompson | 8.5L | 11 | 57kg | $18 | ||
| 13 | 14 | TWO ILLICIT (NZ) | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | Vinnie Colgan | 10L | 6 | 57kg | $51 | ||
| 14 | 16e | THE CANDY MAN | Barry Baldwin | Baylee Nothdurft | 11.25L | 4 | 59kg | $81 | ||
| 17e | FLASH AAH | Mitchell Fry | 0 | |||||||
| 12 | PARADEE | Danny O’Brien | Craig Williams | 0 | ||||||
| 15e | BRANDENBURG (NZ) | John Sargent | Regan Bayliss | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
