Lindsay Park are considering options for Zayydani with the good prize money on offer in the Ballarat Cup attracting their attention.
A last start winner of the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the Ben and JD Hayes-trained Zayydani has been nominated for the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday.
The Ballarat Cup carries prize money of $500,000 and a first prize of $300,000, which is $120,000 more that Zayydani won in taking out the Matriarch Stakes.
Ben Hayes said the prize money was very tempting, as was the $750,000 Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday week with its $450,000 first prize purse.
But he said the stable preferred the Ballarat option however was keeping an open mind.
“We’re thinking of just keeping her to the 2000 metres for the time being, but we have been thinking about running her the following week in the Zipping Classic,” Hayes said.
“We’ll look at both and I think she’ll be better when she gets out further in trip.
“She’s come through the win in excellent order and off her last win, if she can repeat that, she’ll be right in it up to ears and she’ll be chasing some very good prize money.
“And with all this rain about, a wet track won’t be too much of a worry.
“I think a good track is possibly best, but when she gets her toe in, she has performed very well also.”
Stablemate Mimi’s Award, who finished tenth to Zayydani at Flemington, just under four lengths from the winner, is also among nominations, but Hayes said the stable was intending to start her in the Benchmark 84 Handicap (2000m) on Saturday instead as a prelude to the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on December 4.
Other notable nominations in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup include Quantum Mechanic, Atishu and Thought Of That.
