The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable is looking forward to the return to the racetrack of Zennzella.
Left in the care of Maher and Eustace after being sold on the Gold Coast in the middle of the year, Zennzella resumes in the Group 3 Summoned Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Zennzella has not raced since finishing eighth in the Listed Clare Lindop Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville in April, one of two runs as an autumn three-year-old.
As a spring three-year-old, Zennzella captured the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington before going on to run fourth in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) five days later.
Originally purchased by Lloyd Kennewell for $350,000 on the Gold Coast as a yearling, Zennzella was transferred to Maher and Eustace after two runs as two-year-old.
Wearing the colours of Ozzie Kheir and partners, Zennzella won her maiden on the Pakenham synthetic before going on to claim the Wakeful Stakes.
After two below par autumn runs, Zennzella was sold at the Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale for $750,000 and she now races in all Black colours of Rick Jamieson and Gilgai Farm.
“Rick Jamieson bought her, and I had a conversation with Rick as I thought there was still a fair bit left in her and he was keen to race her on,” Maher said.
To prepare for Saturday’s return, Zennzella has had four Cranbourne jump-outs, starting back in September, with her most recent being on November 13 when she finished in the placings.
Zennzella was also taken to Caulfield for a gallop on Tuesday morning and Maher said she was ready to tackle the 1600m journey first-up on Saturday.
“She’s had a really good grounding and she’s probably been ready for a couple of weeks,” Maher said.
“But we just felt this was the right race to kick her off this week.”
