Trainer Kelso Wood is confident Zero Rock is ready to roll again when the grand mare makes her comeback in the Listed Travel Associates Classic at Eagle Farm.
A minor joint infection prevented Zero Rock heading to Melbourne for the spring but Wood has her fully fit to defend her title in Saturday’s 1200m feature.
“She’s fine and is ready to go and has been in work for a few months,” Wood said.
“The setback put her behind a couple of weeks and forced her to miss going to Melbourne but she’s fully recovered.
“I’ve done all I can to get her fit for this and she’s forward enough to win.”
Wood is following a similar summer campaign as last year with Zero Rock who will run next in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes at Doomben on December 24 before the Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast on January 14.
Last summer Zero Rock strung together three successive wins including the Listed Travel Associates Classic second-up then the Lough Neagh Stakes.
The daughter of Danzero then finished fifth to Captain Sonador in the Goldmarket Handicap (1300m) at the Gold Coast on January 3 before running second to Bold Glance in the Magic Millions Cup.
Zero Rock hasn’t raced since her sixth behind Yosei in the Group One Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 25.
A fortnight earlier she produced one of the best races of her career to finish third to Sincero in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
Wood is planning another assault on the Brisbane winter carnival next year with Zero Rock.
“After she has these few summer runs I’ll put her away and prepare her for the winter again,” Wood said.
Wood is confident the age factor won’t affect the six-year-old’s first-up record of two wins and a second from five starts.
“She’s getting older and is more laid-back these days but she’s barrier trialled twice and is coming along well,” he said.
Zero Rock looks to be well weighted in the fillies and mares feature with 57.5 kilograms which frightened off several potential interstate invaders.
Sydney trainer Chris Waller has thrown in the white towel and won’t run Dystopia who will instead start at Rosehill.
Dystopia is a full sister to Golden Slipper winner Stratum and cost the Ingham family $800,000 as a yearling.
The five-year-old daughter of Redoute’s Choice was stakes placed as a three-year-old but Waller felt her task against Zero Rock wasn’t worth the trip.
AAP TURF
