When it comes to attractively-weighted runners in this Saturday’s The Goodwood at Morphettville, not many can match Zoutori.
The Mathew Ellerton-trained gelding is one of a select band of horses to have won Australia’s premier sprint handicap – the Newmarket Handicap – under topweight, but will carry just 54.5kg in this Saturday’s 1200-metre event.
That is due to The Goodwood being a set-weights-and-penalties event with penalties incurred in races since August 2021, which was five months after Zoutori’s Newmarket win, which was the most recent of his eight career victories.
A case of bone bruising after just two runs last spring means his DC McKay Stakes (1100m) fifth placing under 62kg on May 6 has been his only start since last October and Ellerton said The Goodwood shaped as a suitable Group 1 option for the seven-year-old.
“I was really happy with him and he drops to 54.5 in The Goodwood,” Ellerton said.
“I would have preferred to run him at home first up, but there were no (suitable) races here.
“He had an injury-forced break and he was probably a bit rusty first up. I thought about going to Queensland with him but it looks a bit tough up there.”
Zoutori, who will be ridden by Craig Williams, will be one of two runners for Ellerton in The Goodwood with General Beau to also take his place.
He will also carry 54.5kg, having not won at Black Type level since defeating Anamoe in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude in February 2021 and although Ellerton was not thrilled with his McKay Stakes third placing, despite beating home Zoutori, he is buoyed by the prospect of a firmer track.
“I was probably initially disappointing but Mick Dee said he just didn’t feel great on the (Soft 7) track, so we’re banking on better ground,” Ellerton said.
