Promising colt Zousain is on track for the J J Atkins Plate after scoring a comfortable win in the Group 2 $175,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben today.
Kerrin McEvoy, above, won the Champagne Classic on the Chris Waller trained Zousain at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy rode a patient race and after sticking to the inside, Zousain ($9.50) exploded through the gap in between runners to record a two and a half lengths win.
Runner up Mishani Hustler ($6.50) raced on the pace and stuck on for second while Blue Book ($17) was doing his best work at the finish to run third.
The $4.80 favourite Dynamited, from the Godolphin stable, had a nice run just back off the speed but failed to threaten and finished just behind the placegetters in fifth spot.
Today’s win in the Champagne Classic was trainer Chris Waller’s fourth in the Group 2 for the two year olds after winning with Pressday (2010), Brazen Beau (2014) and last year with Tangled.
Waller’s Brisbane representative Paul Shailer said thet Zousain will now head to the Group 1 $600,000 J.J. Atkins Plate (1600m) at Doomben on June 9.
“Chris (Waller) and Charlie (Duckworth) have a very high opinion of him,” Shailer said.
“A couple of wet tracks have brought him unstuck at his last two runs so he showed a great turn of foot today, showed us what promise he has.”
“He will press on to the J J Atkins now and he will be very competitive.”
“He has only been here two days. He travelled up from Sydney on Wednesday night, arrived in great order so it has just been maintenance work for us since he arrived.”
“Going forward he is a big precocious colt, he is a very good doer and it is all upwards.”
Today’s win in the Champagne Classic was Zousain’s second from just four race starts and the Zoustar colt is now the $5 favourite for the J J Atkins Plate with Ladbrokes.com.au.
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