The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained Zou Sensation will keep to a regimented pattern of racing in VictoriaĀ after flopping on his latest travel interstate.
Zou Sensation returns to racing in the Group 3Ā BletchinglyĀ Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday with the stable potentially eyeing a Group 1 contest later in the campaign.
Troy Corstens said the gelding has not been at his best in past trips interstate and declared the sprinter’s travelling days are over.
After winning at Flemington on New Year’s Eve and then finishing last when fresh at Caulfield in February, theĀ CorstensĀ and Larkin teamĀ had aspirationsĀ of a Brisbane Winter Carnival campaign with Zou Sensation.
Finishing fifth at Scone in May, Zou Sensation made his way toĀ BrisbaneĀ where at his only outing he beat one runner home in the Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) onĀ June 6.
OnĀ a previousĀ trip to Queensland in January 2025, Zou Sensation finished midfield in two outings, once at the Sunshine CoastĀ and then in the Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast.
“He will never travel again, it just doesn’t suit him,”Ā CorstensĀ said.
“I’mĀ not sure what it is.Ā We’veĀ tried it a couple of times, butĀ he’sĀ just not at his best whenĀ we’veĀ travelled him, soĀ we’llĀ never travel with him again.”
Since being back at his Flemington home, Zou Sensation has had two trials at Werribee.
The first one, on July 3, he finished fourth to Hard Kick and Cruiserweight while last Friday he defeated Evaporate over 800m.
“He trialledĀ really wellĀ on Friday morning,”Ā CorstensĀ said.
“He pulled up well,Ā he’sĀ come through it well andĀ we’reĀ looking forward to seeing himĀ at Caulfield on Saturday.”
Corstens said the team would be guided by Zou Sensation’s performance on Saturday, but the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield is in the back of the stable’s mind.
“Saturday is the kick-off and you look at himĀ and you think he is a Rupert Clarke sort of horse,”Ā CorstensĀ said.
“We’veĀ got to try and see if we can get him there.
“TheĀ Peter LawrenceĀ could be next, but we’llĀ have a look andĀ seeĀ andĀ we’llĀ be guided by what he does on Saturday.”
Zou SensationĀ has drawn eight in the nine-horse field and will be ridden by Jamie Mott.
Two former Perth gallopers Cosmic Crusader and Aztec Ruler are set to have their first starts for Victorian trainers in Saturday’s sprint and have drawn barriers one and three respectively.
