21 Sep 2022Home-bred filly Zantabulous did us proud when she made the perfect start to her racing career to lead off a winning double at Matamata for our hot shuttle stallion Almanzor.
The three-year-old had given a sneak preview of her ability with a trial win at Avondale earlier this month and she carried that form over to race day with a dominant performance to triumph over 1200 metres.
Congratulations to Te Akau principal David Ellis, who secured her out of our Karaka draft last year for $220,000, trainer Mark Walker and successful jockey Michael McNab.
They all later combined with Almanzor’s son Bubbles Await, who romped home at his third appearance to break his maiden over 1400 metres. He was a $230,000 Karaka purchase out of breeder Wentwood Grange’s draft.
“Almanzor is starting to hit his straps now, as you would imagine once they turn three-year-olds,” Walker said.
“I know it was a wet track, but we already know those two will go on top of the ground.
“It was the manner in which they won today showed that they have got good potential.”
Zantabulous is a daughter of the Zabeel mare Zantelagh, who was successful on three occasions and also the dam of two previous winners.
She is out of the former high-class sprinter Dantelagh, winner of eight races including an edition of the G1 Oakleigh Plate and also runner-up in the G1 Newmarket Handicap and the G1 Railway Handicap.