Zabeel Filly Scores SA Group 3

Kiwi filly Rezoned (NZ) (Zabeel) showed her staying prowess with a strong victory in the Group 3 A$115,250 Sportingbet SA Fillies Classic (2500m) for three-year-old fillies at Morphettville yesterday, to provide half of a Group-winning double on the day for super-sire Zabeel.

The NZ$400,000 Karaka yearling purchase was unlucky to be unplaced at her last start in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks for Victorian trainer Robert Smerdon.

Ridden by Mark Zahra, race-favourite Rezoned settled mid-field in the 16-horse field and relaxed well over the staying journey. Approaching the turn Zahra was stuck near the running rail and was held up briefly before a gap opened which Rezoned burst through to hit the front with 200m to go. She drew away from the field over the concluding stages to win by 1.6 lengths, clearing away from fellow kiwi-bred Navajo Run (NZ) (High Chaparral) in second, with Every Faith (Not a Single Doubt) in third.

“In her previous run two weeks earlier in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks she was disappointed for a run, she was right on the back of them and only got beaten four lengths,” commented Smerdon.

“She never really got a crack at them over the last 150m so arguably she was unlucky not to finish significantly closer.

“That was the first time she has got to that trip. She was unlucky over 1600m at Sandown and then was disappointed for a run over 2000m. The Australasian Oaks and yesterday were the first times she has got to a trip and clearly that is her strength.

“She is still in the Queensland Oaks which is three weeks away but it will depend on her. She travels home today and we will watch her for the next week. If she seems to be still up and about we will take her to the Queensland Oaks, if not she will go to the paddock.

“She is a neat filly, very correct and is working towards being worth her purchase price. Zabeel mares are very sought after in today’s market so this win adds to her residual value.”

Saturday’s victory was the second win from 11 starts for Rezoned and first at stakes level. She has earned A$113,480 in prizemoney for her owner Phil Sly.

Bred by Mrs B M & L J Anselmi, Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan & Mrs H M & M J Moran, Rezoned is the second winner out of Better Alternative (Flying Spur), a half-sister to Group 2 Villars winner Dances on Waves (Anabaa) from the family of Group 1 winning sprinter Ancient Song (Canny Lad).

Bahen Bloodstock/Malua Racing purchased Rezoned for NZ$400,000 at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale from Cambridge Stud.

Rezoned was one of two stakes winners for her great sire Zabeel yesterday with fellow Karaka graduate Zephyron (NZ) (Zabeel) winning at Listed level in Sydney. Rezoned & Zephyron become stakes winners number 150 & 151 for Zabeel.

New Zealand fillies dominated this Sydney Autumn Carnival with Rising Romance (NZ) (Ekraar) winning the Group 1 Australian Oaks and Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel) successful in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes.