Grahame Begg’s first attempt at Melbourne Cup glory with a winner of the Andrew Ramsden Stakes ended in heartbreak, but he is hoping to have better luck in 2026.
Zakouma ensured the Cranbourne trainer can start planning a path towards this year’s edition of Australia’s greatest race after winning the Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
That 2800-metre event carries not only $300,000 in stakes and Listed status, but also a prized ballot exemption from the $10 million Melbourne Cup, which will this year be run on November 3.
Begg won the 2023 Andrew Ramsden with Lunar Flare, who failed to make it to the post on Melbourne Cup Day and he is excited about plotting a path towards the race with Zakouma.
“This horse, he’s a true staying horse,” Begg said.
“He’s a horse I can run over a trip, first-up in an 1800 (metre race) or something like that, so we’ll just tail it around him and getting him here fit and well on the first Tuesday (in November).
“It’s very exciting.”
Zakouma, a five-year-old son of Crowded House, took his record to five wins from 14 starts with his resolute three-quarters-of-a-length victory.
The gelding, who started $5, was a long way back when the tempo ramped up from the 1000m but wound up late to wear down the gutsy Pounding ($10) and $71 outsider Chartwell House, who was half-a-length away third after appearing set for a surprise win early in the straight.
Jordan Childs reclaimed the seat aboard Zakouma after missing the past two runs and endorsed him as a horse who will not be out of place at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
“The way he got through the line today, he definitely gives me enough of a feel that he should be able to stay in the distance,” Childs said.
“Obviously the pressure’s off now, he’s got that entry, so Grahame can plot a path into the Cup and hopefully he’s there on the first Tuesday in November.
“I might have to start dieting now.”
