Mick Price is keen to find out exactly where Zambardo fits in the pecking order – and there is no greater test than taking on reigning Horse of the Year Via Sistina in the Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington this Saturday.
Zambardo was a short-priced favourite for a benchmark 90 on Oaks Day, but Price – who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jr – chose to bypass the easier assignment in favour of a clash with the 11-time Group 1 winner.
“I think we can go back to a benchmark 90 any time,” Price said.
“This is his sixth run this prep and he’s had a very good prep. I wanted better horses in front of him.
“At Caulfield and in a few other races, as soon as he hits the front he clocks off. We’ll ride him cold and let him finish off.
“On facts and figures, he’s entitled to his long odds, but if he can run a place and get his rating up it sets him up for the autumn. I think he’s a nice horse, so this is his ‘chips in’ run.”
Zambardo comes into the Champions Stakes having progressed through the grades, winning at benchmark 78 level over 2000m at Caulfield after earlier successes at Sandown, Sale and Pakenham.
But under weight-for-age conditions, he will concede 1.5kg to Via Sistina, who arrives off her second straight victory in the Cox Plate – a win that pushed her earnings beyond $17.5 million.
Jamie Melham, fresh off her Melbourne Cup triumph on Tuesday, takes the ride, with Zambardo drawn directly inside Via Sistina in barrier nine.
Zambardo is part-owned in similar interests to stablemate Golden Path, who lines up in the Champions Stakes after running second in the Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley.
“He’s proven he’s not good enough at this level most times, but he’s fit, well and drawn a good gate,” Price said of Golden Path.
“He’ll do his best – and it’ll be what it’ll be.”
