James Cummings won’t be surprised to see unheralded mare Zapateo spoil the party when she takes on some big-name sprinters in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick.
The multiple Group winner has a handy strikerate of seven victories from 18 starts but significantly, is proven over Saturday’s 1000-metre journey, a statistic Cummings says can prove a key factor in her clash with speedsters Eduardo and Nature Strip.
Additionally, Zapateo has an outstanding first-up record with two wins and a second from four fresh runs, the only blot to her copybook coming in the Oakleigh Plate last campaign when she was luckless from an awkward draw.
“I could be wrong, but I think that horse could win that race,” Cummings said of Zapateo.
“1000-metre races for 1000-metre horses, she has won (over the distance) around Moonee Valley, she’s got a wonderful fresh record – put the pen through the first-up run in the Oakleigh Plate last prep, nothing went right.
“She finds herself in a ten-horse field where she can be in a prominent position early. She is trialling like a sharp horse.”
Zapateo will be one of two Godolphin runners resuming in Saturday’s Concorde Stakes (1000m), along with dual Group 1 winner In Secret, who is on trial for the global conglomerate’s Everest slot.
The latter is also adept fresh but has never raced under 1100m and Cummings will be pleased to see her doing her best work late.
“Surely this race will be just too quick for her, 1000-metres, but she is coming back well and she will be ready to run a race fresh,” Cummings said.
“If she can just find a way to tack on and get the first half right, and still be within striking distance of being a threat when she makes her run with 300 to go, it would make things interesting.
“A win would be a bit scary considering how much better she will be over six furlongs.”
Kerrin Mcevoy partners Zapateo while last year’s champion Sydney apprentice Zac Lloyd gets a Group 1 opportunity aboard In Secret.
