Trainer Grahame Begg can afford to relax a bit more now that Zakouma has secured a start in a Caulfield Cup lead-up race.
The six-year-old gelding was initially the second emergency for Saturday’s Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield, but two scratchings have now paved the way for him to run.
Having already earned a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3, Begg has worked backwards from that primary target to ensure Zakouma reaches peak fitness.
Zakouma resumed from a spell last month in the Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield, finishing a pleasing sixth. Begg’s plan is for the gelding to have just two more starts before heading to Flemington.
A victory on Saturday would grant Zakouma a ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 17. Alternatively, the stayer will compete in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) on October 10.
It is worth remembering that last year’s Naturalism Stakes winner, Half Yours, was also an emergency before scraping into the field and went on to win the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double.
Had Zakouma been unable to secure a start in Saturday’s race, Begg’s backup plan was to run him in the JRA Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on September 26.
“Whatever way it worked out, his next run was going to be at 2000 metres, then one run at 2400 metres and then it’s straight into the (Melbourne) Cup,” Begg said.
“If he won the Naturalism, he would go to the Caulfield Cup.
“It’s worth $6 million, so why not, but if he doesn’t win the Naturalism, he will go to the Herbert Power and then straight into the Melbourne Cup.”
Zakouma is set to carry 51kg in the Caulfield Cup and is currently number 70 in the ballot order. A win on Saturday will ensure his participation, while in the Melbourne Cup, he has been allocated 52kg and possesses a ballot exemption courtesy of his win in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington in May.
Begg and his team were delighted with Zakouma’s first-up performance, where he improved from second-last position before the turn to finish sixth, finishing just over four lengths behind the winner, Kingswood.
He mentioned that Zakouma has continued to improve since that initial run.
“He’s got great lung capacity. His recovery is unbelievable,” Begg stated.
“He has come on a lot since his first-up run. His coat is still not there, still a bit woolly, but it’s starting to shift and another run will bring that along.”
Check out the latest Australian betting sites for all the racing action.
