Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 
Image: Bruno Cannatelli
Zoutori will be out to bounce-back in his first Group One test in the Darley Sprint Classic

Co-trainer Simon Zahra hopes Zoutori will not strike similar conditions to Derby Day when the sprinter faces his first Group One test in the Darley Sprint Classic.

Zoutori was favourite in last Saturday’s Group Two Linlithgow Stakes (1200m) at Flemington which was run on a soft track and the gelding failed to run up to his short quote ($2.45), finishing third.

The four-year-old was a dominant first-up winner of the Group Two Bobbie Lewis at Flemington before a close third behind multiple Group One winners Sunlight and Santa Ana Lane in the Group Two Gilgai over the 1200m-straight course.

Five-time Group One winner Santa Ana Lane, who has since finished second in The Everest, is the $2.25 favourite to win Saturday’s Darley Sprint Classic (1200m) for the second-straight year while Zoutori is $17.

Zahra, who trains in partnership with Mathew Ellerton, said they did not know what to make of last Saturday’s run but are happy to back Zoutori up after positive signs this week.

“Obviously it was a bit of a head scratcher for everybody,” Zahra said.

“We probably just put it down to the track a little bit.

“There was a lot of surface water and splashing in his face a bit. It looked like he might have just got a bit disinterested but when he got out wide his last bit was strong and not a lot of horses made ground on the day either.

“So we’ll just have a crack and see what happens.

“Obviously the rain might be a hindrance.”

Flemington was rated a Good (4) on Friday with rain forecast.

“I think if the track can be a good four to a five, you’ll probably see the same horse we probably saw a month ago,” Zahra said.

“If at any stage we weren’t happy with him we probably would have scratched him but as the week’s gone on he’s looked progressively better so we’re happy to have a shot at the title.”

The stable also has last year’s VRC Oaks winner Aristia backing up in Saturday’s Group One Mackinnon Stakes (2000m), seven days after her second to star New Zealand mare and Mackinnon favourite Melody Belle in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).

Ellerton and Zahra have opted to run Aristia in the Mackinnon rather than the Group Two Matriarch for mares.

“The way she looked on Monday morning it was a bit of a no-brainer,” Zahra said.

“She looked absolutely awesome. She’s dappled up and has really come on from that.

“She’s a Group One winner already. This is obviously her biggest task at weight-for-age but if she can run first three or four we’ll be pretty happy.”

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Bookmaker Offers
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au