Annabel Neasham doubted she would be back at Caulfield with Zaaki, but a gallop at the course has likely changed her mind.
Zaaki and stablemate Mo’Unga galloped on Tuesday at Caulfield in preparation for the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) on Saturday with Zaaki, ridden by Jamie Kah, leading home Mo’unga.
Mo’unga looked a little sluggish under Damien Oliver, but the five-year-old galloped minus the blinkers which will be worn on Saturday.
“Zaaki had his measure before the Underwood and Mo’unga still had his nose in front of him on race day,” Neasham said.
“You can never judge Mo’unga on his work. He’s well known for being a pretty lazy trackworker, so it was pleasing to see Zaaki gallop well.
“I thought 12 months ago, I wasn’t here because of COVID, but certainly from the footage he didn’t work well and didn’t race as well as we had hoped.
“I was thinking I would avoid Caulfield with him, but off today’s work Jamie felt he had come on from the Underwood so I’m pretty sure he’ll be lining up on Saturday.”
After winning the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Sandown last year, Zaaki struck a Good 4 surface when beaten into third place in the Might And Power.
This year Zaaki is coming off a third-place finish at Sandown and there is the likelihood of a Caulfield track with some give in it with rain forecast later in the week.
Neasham is loath to separate her pair in what is shaping as a dress rehearsal for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22.
Anamoe is the new blood on the scene from the Underwood Stakes on September 25 which saw Alligator Blood defeat the Neasham pair.
“They’re all going to have to turn up at their best to take on Anamoe if he turns up in his best order,” Neasham said.
“I’m pretty happy with our horse Zaaki third-up and he’s going to strip fitter and Mo’unga is fourth-up.
“They’ll both be there fighting out the finish.”
