Extra Zero has achieved a milestone victory at his 100th start
Extra Zero has achieved a milestone victory at Flemington at the expense of punters.
Lining-up for his 100th start on Saturday, the 10-year-old gelding burst through the pack in the final 100m to take out the Archer Hall of Fame Trophy (2000m).
The victory was just his seventh in his ninth season of racing, which began in April 2009.
Ridden by Jake Bayliss, Extra Zero was sent out a $31 chance with Sportsbet and beat Haradafull ($5) by three quarters of a length with Self Sense ($31) a long neck away third.
Extra Zero has finished second 22 times in his career, while Saturday’s victory took his prize money to in excess of $1.7 million.
Among his narrow defeats was the 2015 Group One Australian Cup when stablemate Spillway got the better of him by a nose.
Part-owner Mark Pilkington said Extra Zero’s 100th start had been in the planning for months.
“We were hoping the 2000 metres at Flemington, where he’s run so well before, would be ideal,” Pilkington said.
“I think it’s great testament to all the facilities and the staff at Lindsay Park to keep a horse like him so sound for so long.
“They incorporate a lot of jumps training with him as well.
“I think the people who are against the jumps should have a look at him.
“He’s a happy, healthy, great horse.”
Extra Zero’s win was the fourth leg of a four-timer for the David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig Lindsay Park operation.
It followed the stable’s treble at Caulfield last Saturday and their five winners at Geelong on Tuesday.
Their previous winners were Guangzhou in the Winx Hall of Fame Trophy, Sovereign Nation in the Lloyd Williams Hall of Fame Trophy and Tashbeeh in the Listed Straight Six.
Lindsay Park now has 96 metropolitan winners for the season as it closes in it’s best season of 103 in the 2006-07 season.
Fennessy said Sovereign Nation, who was racing as a gelding for the first time, and Tashbeeh are likely to meet in the Winter Championship heats and final at Flemington.
Tashbeeh was first-up on Saturday and despite his $20 starting price didn’t surprise Fennessy with his win.
“He’s always been a a good first-up horse and his work had been good,” Fennessy said.
“Hopefully he’s in for a good preparation.”
