Trainer Annabel Neasham has made the call to scratch Zaaki from a Group 1 assignment in Sydney and head to Melbourne with the gelding.
Zaaki was scratched from Saturday’s George Main Stakes (1600m) on Friday afternoon and instead the gelding will contest the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Sandown on Sunday week.
The gelding won the Underwood last year defeating four opponents, although the field is expected to be considerably larger this year.
It means Zaaki is likely to follow the same program as year in the lead-up to the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22, a race he was scratched from last year with an elevated temperature.
Zaaki returned to win the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 3, as he did last year, before going on to claim the Underwood Stakes.
In scratching Zaaki from the George Main, Neasham said the gelding would benefit from an extra week after running first-up on a significantly wet track.
“Zaaki will wait a week and line up in the G1 Underwood at Sandown, with the team feeling he will benefit from an extra week after having a heavy track first up,” Neasham said in a statement.
“We have made the call today to ensure he can gallop in the morning in preparation for next weekend.”
The scratching of Zaaki has resulted in Anamoe becoming the $1.55 favourite with TAB with Fangirl second pick at $6.50.
