The Darley team set the scene for an enthralling Group One Winter Stakes next month following gutsy mare Kanzan’s thrilling win in the Group Three Glenlogan Park Stakes at Doomben.
Ridden by Corey Brown, Kanzan unleashed a powerful sprint to edge out an unlucky Zero Rock by a long neck in Saturday’s 1350m feature.
Victorian mare Returntosender filled the minor placing a length away.
Trainer Peter Snowden will now aim Kanzan for the Group Two Dane Ripper (1200m) at Eagle Farm in a fortnight before the Group One Winter Stakes (1400m) on the same track on June 25.
Her win sets up an interesting clash with Varenna Miss in the two fillies and mares features following the Victorian mare’s win earlier in the day in the Act For Kids Handicap (1200m).
Snowden, who ruled out a Stradbroke Handicap attempt for Kanzan, had some minor concerns with the daughter of Commands following her win in the Listed Crown Stakes at Hawkesbury on April 30.
“I was a bit concerned she started to lighten off after we sent her to the farm for a few days after her Hawkesbury win,” Snowden said.
“But she showed she is a quality mare and she gets better with each preparation.
“She’s very adaptable and can run in either good or wet going.
“Hopefully she’ll keep going and get similar conditions as today.”
Brown wasn’t worried when Kanzan got back in the field in the early stages.
“I wasn’t worried when she got back. The speed looked fairly genuine and I liked the way she hit the line,” Brown said.
Trainer Kelso Wood was delighted with the effort from runner-up Zero Rock who was caught three deep.
“I’m rapt. What a great run,” Wood said.
“I’d love to get her into the Stradbroke but she’s 32nd in order of entry.”
Jockey Chris Munce said Zero Rock, who was having her first start since beating one home behind Buffering in the Group Two Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm last month, produced a sensational effort.
“She’s lost a bit of her early zip but if she draws a gate she wins,” Munce said.
AAP TURF
