Rejuvenated sprinter Zedi Knight is in career best form heading towards the Group Three Victoria Handicap later this month after posting his fourth win for the campaign at Caulfield.
The six-year-old led all the way in Saturday’s Listed Shadwell Stud Stakes (1440m), holding off a strong challenge from Carrara to score by a short-neck, with Lady Lynette another 2-1/4 lengths away third.
It was Zedi Knight’s second feature race win in two months after landing the Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington in February and trainer Brendan McCarthy is keen to build on that record.
A winner of 10 of his 28 starts, Zedi Knight looks the horse to beat the Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on April 23 while other stakes targets are being considered for him at Morphettville on May 8.
McCarthy said the Group One Goodwood (1200m) remained an option or Zedi Knight may have his first start over 1600 metres in the Group Three R A Lee Stakes the same day.
“It is still five weeks to Adelaide so we have plenty of time to freshen him if we want for the Goodwood,” McCarthy said
“It’s still in the mix or I may try him at 1600 metres as that race over there is worth $200,000.”
Back ailments and leg trouble have interrupted Zedi Knight’s career but he has never lost his remarkable fighting spirit.
McCarthy said earlier in his campaign he was being bustled to take a forward position from wide barriers but with slightly more patient riding tactics he was now able to finish off a lot better.
“Today the other horse (Carrara) came up to him very easily but he has a really good fighting attitude,” McCarthy said.
He said that jockey Dan Nikolic could not have ridden him better from barrier 11 and rated him to perfection in the lead.
Nikolic said he was concerned when Carrara loomed up outside him but he was confident Zedi Knight wouldn’t surrender.
“It was a terrific effort,” Nikolic said.
“I was little bit worried when he (Carrara) came at me but I knew my horse would give plenty under pressure.
“He is going super.”
AAP TURF
