Jon Snow, Zacada impress
WELLINGTON: Murray Baker could not be happier with the performances of Zacada and Jon Snow at Monday’s Te Teko trials, but he has put a public hitout for stable star Bonneval on hold until next week.
Bonneval’s countdown to another Australian campaign was planned to commence with a trial at Avondale yesterday and the multiple group 1 winner was on track for the appearance until the wet weather upset the applecart.
‘‘We’ve decided to wait and run her in one of those open trials before the first race at Taupo next week,’’ Baker, who trains in partnership with Andrew Forsman, said.
Jon Snow and Zacada are also being prepared for the Melbourne spring carnival. The Melbourne Cup over 3200m at Flemington on November 6 is on the horizon and both shaped very well at the trials on
Monday.
Jon Snow, ridden by Matt
Cameron, led in his 1030m trial and was taken on near the turn then stuck to the inside and kicked on strongly. He went to the finish with his ears pricked and was nabbed on the line by Te Akau Shark.
‘‘It was his first decent hitout since the Caulfield Cup,’’ Baker said. ‘‘He didn’t see the other horse coming and could have won the trial.’’
Jon Snow has won three times on his two trips to Australia.
‘‘He’ll either kick off at Hast ings [on September 1] or go to Melbourne for the Memsie Stakes [1400m] the same day at Caulfield,’’ Baker said.
Although the Melbourne Cup is on Jon Snow’s radar, Baker believes the son of Iffraaj could be better suited to the 2400m of the Caulfield Cup.
Zacada, on the other hand, is proven at 3200m and the Melbourne Cup is the ultimate mission for the Zabeel 6yrold.
He finished fourth in the Auckland Cup over 3200m and went down by a nose last start when beaten by Who Shot Thebarman in the Sydney Cup over the same distance.
After being last on settling at Te Tako on Monday, Zacada looped the field and finished strongly to score by a length and aquarter.
‘‘That was a top trial,’’ Baker said. — NZ Racing Desk