NZ Ready to Run Graduate Wins Queensland Cup

Saturday’s Listed Queensland Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm was taken out by NZB Ready to Run Sale graduate Turner Bayou (Zabeel) at the horse’s first attempt at stakes level.

Turner Bayou appreciated stepping up in distance to the gruelling 3200m for the first time in his 14-start career. Saturday’s race saw Turner Bayou show true staying ability, hitting the front in the home straight and withstanding the stern challenges from placegetters Fifth Column and Verdant. The four-year-old gelding strode away from his rivals to score a decisive 3-1/4 length win. The win was the horses fifth in his short career with prizemoney totalling $230,847.

Turner Bayou wins the Queensland Cup

Trained in Victoria by Patrick Payne, and ridden by his sister Michelle Payne, Turner Bayou made his first inter-state trip to claim his biggest payday. The horse earned a trip to Brisbane on the back of recent good form, having won two starts ago and running second at his previous outing.

Turner Bayou is by the 15-time NZ Champion sire Zabeel, becoming the 147th stakeswinner for his all-conquering sire. He is out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Classy Choice, a half-sister to the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes winner Devil Moon.

Tuner Bayou was bought by John Foote Bloodstock at the 2010 Ready to Run Sale for $160,000 when presented by Kaipira Lodge, and is raced by I R & Mrs D E McCauley.

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