Trainer Grahame Begg and the connections of King Zephyr are in no rush with the lightly raced four-year-old.
King Zephyr will be shooting for his fourth consecutive victory and fifth from six career starts when he runs in the William Newton VC Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on Friday.
Part-owned by former trainer Chris Hyland, who now works for Begg as one of the inform trainer’s trusted lieutenants, King Zephyr was successful on debut at Bendigo in March last year before being given a break.
After one start in August last year, King Zephyr was again tipped out before making it three wins in succession this campaign with a win at Pakenham and two at Sandown.
King Zephyr steps up in both class and distance on Friday, but it is a race that Begg had earmarked for the gelding after his most recent win at Sandown.
“We’ve taken each step with him as it’s come,” Begg said.
“We’ve tried to keep him in his lane, pick off the right races as they come and we’re happy just taking the small steps at this stage.
“He’s got to a benchmark 78 on Friday and he comes back a little in weight. He had 61 kilos the other day and comes back 59-½ on Friday.”
Since scoring at Sandown on March 26, King Zephyr has finished third in a 1000m jump-out at Cranbourne on April 14.
Begg said that was just what King Zephyr required to blow away the cobwebs and potentially set him up for Friday.
He added that the Flemington circuit should be a beautiful track for King Zephyr.
“He hasn’t run at 1400 metres yet, but he’s had two solid 1300-metre runs,” Begg said.
“He’s giving every indication the way he’s relaxing in his races the 1400 metres won’t be too much of a challenge.”
Jordan Childs continues his association with King Zephyr who is the $1.70 favourite in early markets to keep his winning run going.
