24 Oct 2017
A spring trip to Melbourne has been confirmed for Zabeel’s son Von Tunzelman.
The Roger James-trained grey picked up travelling expenses on Monday for his Australian venture when he claimed the thick end of the stake in the Seafood Bazaar 1600m at Te Rapa.
Raced by breeders Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Von Tunzelman will make his next appearance in the Listed James Boag’s Premium Stakes (1800m) at Flemington.
“Brendan and Jo said some time ago that they were keen to have a runner on Melbourne Cup day and his whole preparation has been centred around that and this should ensure he gets in the field,” James said.
“Then there’s a race at Sandown for him after that,” James added in reference to the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) on November 18.
Von Tunzelman was making the third appearance of his current preparation at Te Rapa following a resuming third at Ellerslie and an unplaced effort on the Hamilton track.
“I was very happy with both of his runs,” James said. “He’s not at his best when it rains, but I knew he was fit.”
Von Tunzelman, who is out of the Group One performer J’Adane, has been lightly-tried and has won five of his 14 starts.
“He’s been patiently handled up to now and in the autumn he could well go to the next level,” James said.
The grey was ridden at Te Rapa by Michael Coleman who had the five-year-old travelling well three wide with cover and a well-timed run in the straight saw them account for the front-runner Waipipi Lad. – NZ Racing Desk