The Godolphin team is banking on a step up in trip at Caulfield being beneficial for Zardozi as she progresses towards her main autumn goal at Flemington.
The James Cummings-trained mare had a reacquaintance gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday morning in preparation for the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) on Saturday which will lead into the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) two weeks later.
Zardozi has raced only once at Caulfield, finishing fourth to Duke De Sessa in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) last year.
Nacim Dilmi, who oversees the Melbourne stable for Cummings, conceded the mare was a better galloper on the more spacious layout at Flemington, but Saturday’s contest was a nice stepping stone towards the Australian Cup, which he said was Zardozi’s ‘grand final’.
“She worked over 1200 metres. It looked nice work and she pulled-up great after the work and her regular rider Camille was happy with the work also,” Dilmi said.
“This weekend is not her grand final, but if she runs well, we will be happy leading into next run two weeks later.
“Caulfield does not seem to be her best track. She runs better at Flemington but having said that she did run well in the Caulfield Cup, so we’re pretty happy going to this race.”
Zardozi enters Saturday’s race third-up having raced first-up in Sydney before running third in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on March 1.
“Her run last start at Flemington was pretty good,” Dilmi said.
“She hit the line pretty strongly, indicating that going up in distance she is right on track for the Australian Cup.
“Jamie Melham was very happy with her and said she has come back in great order this prep after a great spring carnival.
“She wasn’t far off them in the Melbourne Cup, and she seems to be tracking well this time in.”
A total of 13 horses have been nominated for the Peter Young, including Pride Of Jenni who has not raced since suffering a bleeding attack in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington last November.
Final fields and barriers will be announced on Wednesday.
