The horse whose name is Zabeel spelled backwards can put his sire to the fore in the Doomben Cup.
If Leebaz wins on Saturday, he will be a record-equalling 45th individual Group One winner produced by the late champion stallion.
Ahead of the race, the Australasian record belongs to Zabeel’s sire Sir Tristram who stood alongside his son at New Zealand’s famous Cambridge Stud where both are buried.
Zabeel, who died last year, has few opportunities left to improve on his tally, serving limited numbers of mares in his final seasons.
His most recent individual Group One winner came with Preferment in the 2014 Victoria Derby.
Leebaz will have some fierce competition in the Doomben Cup, not least of all from Volkstok’n’barrell who represents Cambridge Stud’s latest star, Montjeu stallion Tavistock.
Volstok’n’barrell was Tavistock’s first Group One winner and was joined this season by three Derby winners, Tarzino (Victoria Derby), Tavago (Australian Derby) and Werther (Hong Kong Derby).
Another element of Tavistock’s success is the way in which he has clicked with mares by Zabeel.
Werther and Tarzino are the sons of Zabeel mares.
The Hawkes Racing-trained Leebaz is a $12 chance in the Doomben Cup (2000m).
The $3.50 race favourite is Godolphin’s Hauraki who is by Reset, a son of Zabeel.
