Flashing Zorro was once barred by stewards as being uncompetitive but the $500 purchase continues a fairytale comeback at Queanbeyan on Thursday.
Trained by Allan McRae at Yass, the six-year-old gelding looks well placed to add to his record of two wins and two placings from five starts in the Lot 5 @www.inglis.com.au Class 2 Hcp (1100m).
Flashing Zorro was initially purchased as a weanling at Young by Grenfell-based owner Leanne Ritchie.
“I didn’t have him early on but apparently he never showed much as a young horse,” McRae said.
“He eventually trialled at Warren in August 2009 and went no good.
“Apparently Leanne’s grandfather talked her into keeping him, that’s where I came into the picture.”
Flashing Zorro had been kept fit by working off a trotting gig before McRae got the son of Zorro’s Lad.
Knowing the horse had trialled McRae, who got Flashing Zorro earlier this year, nominated him for a race but the entry was refused.
“The stewards rang up and said he was uncompetitive and if I wanted to race him he had to trial again,” McRae said.
“I told them he finished fifth of seven in the trial but the stewards countered that one horse fell over, the other was pregnant and Flashing Zorro was beaten over 20 lengths.
“Anyway, he was going all right so I trialled him (at Canberra on July 10) and stewards passed him fit to race.”
Flashing Zorro made his debut when finishing 1-1/4 lengths second in a 1000m maiden at Gundagai on July 23.
Wins at Cowra and Narrandera followed before the gelding was spelled after his three-length eighth over 1200m at Wagga on September 5.
“He drew wide that day, had a real tough run so we tipped him out,” McRae said.
“He’s come back bigger and stronger. He spelled with Leanne’s quarter horse in a lucerne paddock. Did him the world of good.
“We’ve got a bit of an opinion of him. He’s not a brilliant trackworker but puts a lot into his races.
“He’s a tough little fella, sticks his head out and has a go. That’s what I like about him.”
Flashing Zorro resumed with an encouraging second to Sticky Danish over 1000m at Parkes on December 3.
“It was a good pipe opener, he’s definitely improved,” McRae said.
AAP TURF
