Family pride goes on the line for Tulloch Lodge recruit Zoutenant against Group One colts Pride Of Dubai and Counterattack in the Eskimo Prince Stakes.
So does the bone and muscle method of training that is an integral part of stable way as trainer Gai Waterhouse tries to take the colt’s racing to another level.
A high-profile purchase for Rosemont Stud given to Waterhouse to train after a promising start to his career for Kevin Moses, Zoutenant will be out to match his mother as a winner of the Group Three race.
The Moses-trained Tenant’s Tiara won the 2008 edition and Zoutenant is her third foal.
But breeding connections will only take you so far on the racetrack and it might be Tulloch Lodge’s famous training regime that will be a bigger factor.
Zoutenant finished his tenure under Moses when runner-up to the brilliant Exosphere in the Roman Consul Stakes during the Sydney spring carnival and it doesn’t get any easier for the three-year-old’s return.
Waiting for him at Randwick on Saturday will be two-time Group One winner Pride Of Dubai and the Chris Waller-trained Counterattack, a last-start placegetter at racing’s elite level in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
It’s a test that Tulloch Lodge spokesman Mark Newnham says makes Zoutenant a clear standout as the most intriguing of the stable’s four Randwick runners.
“He’s on that borderline of being a good horse and he just needs to take the next step,” Newnham said.
“We’ll find out where he’s at but he’s shown enough, or at least enough ability that suggests he will run well, although it’s a solid race.”
Zoutenant made his first public appearance for Waterhouse and led in a Randwick barrier trial before he was overtaken late by stablemate Al Nader who was ridden with a lot more aggression.
There has been specking at double-figure odds for Zoutenant, a Brenton Avdulla mount.
In contrast, Pride Of Dubai is clinging to favouritism despite drifting amid support for his stablemate Wolf Cry and Counterattack.
