Mick Price has outlined an ambitious spring campaign for Zambardo, with the Cox Plate and Champions Stakes among the stable’s major targets.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained gelding will take the next step towards those Group 1 assignments when he contests Sunday’s Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield.
Zambardo finished runner-up to Via Sistina in last year’s Champions Stakes (2000m) at his only previous appearance at Flemington, a performance Price hopes the gelding can build upon this spring.
His autumn and winter campaign in Sydney and Brisbane failed to reach the same heights, although he did finish second in the Lord Mayors Cup at Rosehill when getting onto his preferred rain-affected ground.
Zambardo subsequently finished towards the rear in the Q22 at Eagle Farm after being unsuited by the slow tempo.
Following a break in Queensland, he returned with an encouraging third over 1500m at Sandown on September 5.
“He was great first-up,” Price said. “It was what I expected off his trial after his little Winter sojourn wasn’t so successful.
“I’m putting a circle around the 2000 metres at Flemington where he will be very well suited, especially if he gets his toe in the ground.
“He might not be good enough, but I don’t think it will be a huge field, and there are no internationals coming.
“One thing is, he’ll be cherry [ripe] on the day.”
Price plans to progress from the Feehan Stakes to the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 before tackling the Cox Plate at Flemington on October 24.
The Feehan Stakes has attracted just six runners, with two-time defending champion Pride Of Jenni again lining up alongside Mr Brightside and Treasurethe Moment.
