Zapateo was not considered the leading chance of the Godolphin-owned trio in The Galaxy at Rosehill but the mare has sprinted to a narrow win in the Group 1 race.
Five-year-old mare Zapateo was sent out a $26 chance in Saturday’s 1100m dash with stablemate Aft Cabin the $6 second favourite and Kallos at $51.
With Kerrin Mcevoy aboard, Zapateo was able to get into a nice spot just behind the leaders before giving chase in the straight as Front Page and Asfoora kicked strongly.
Zapateo reeled in the leaders late but also had to hold off the $5.50 favourite Sunshine In Paris who charged along the inside to only go down narrowly by a head.
Front Page was another long head away third while Zapateo’s stablemates finished unplaced.
Trainer James Cummings said it was an important win for Zapateo, who had won five stakes races during her career and been placed in both the Group Two Rubiton Stakes and Group Two Challenge Stakes so far this campaign.
“It’s so important for Zapateo. She’s a phenomenal racehorse by Brazen Beau and she just needed that Group 1 on her CV,” Cummings said.
“She was very good first up. I know she was beaten by Kallos but we had great faith that there was improvement in her and a month into the weight-for-age run in the Challenge last start, she was good.
“She beat home the stablemate (Aft Cabin in the Challenge) who was the tip horse out of the stable.
“Kerrin gave her the run of the race and it makes all the difference in a handicap.”
Trainer Annabel Neasham believes Sunshine In Paris is on target for the TJ Smith Stakes at her next start after her strong return in her first start since the spring.
Neasham was also narrowly denied in the George Ryder Stakes earlier in the day when Lady Laguna finished a close second to Veight.
“Second in two Group Ones, you can’t say it’s a bad day but it’s one of those days that could have been very special,” Neasham said.
“That was a huge finish (from Sunshine In Paris) and she’s going to be right on track now for the TJ.”
Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis bungled the start which cruelled his chances of a first-up win and he finished at the tail of the field.
