Classy runner Zabisco has secured arguably a career-best victory to date at Sandown Racecourse this afternoon, mustering an exceptional final straight sprint to pip leading contender Pheidon on the line in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m).
Zabisco summoned an exceptional final straight sprint to win the 2014 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. Photo: Sarah Ebbett
Jumping from the gates only fairly, Zabisco settled well within the Eclipse Stakes pack; off the pace of early leaders The Inventor, Pheidon and Rhythm To Spare who set a reasonable pace away from the barriers and rounding the bend.
Finding the final straight with plenty to do, the Zabeel entire steadily spooled up before exploding down the outside; reaching Pheidon with less-than 50m to run and bobbing clear for the victory; Extra Zero running on for third.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy delivered a typically polished ride on Zabisco for success in the 2014 Eclipse Stakes and was quick to praise the efforts of in-form trainer Darren Weir immediately after crossing the line.
“He was great, it was my first ride on him but I got some confidence from Weiry – he said just ride him quiet and have him be the last one to challenge,” McEvoy said after taking out the Eclipse Stakes.
“He rested early for me and just needed a bit of room which we got and he was really quite strong over that last 100, so it was a good win.
“He had sort of seven or eight months off and third run back today; Darren just had him cherry ripe.”
Weir was thrilled with Zabisco’s performance in the 2014 Eclipse Stakes and revealed he is eyeing a trip south for the Tasmanian Racing Carnival with the classy seven-year-old.
“He obviously came to us from another stable and he ran really well first-up at Warrnambool and then unfortunately after that he had a little injury so he had to go out and have a good long spell,” Weir said after the race.
“The boys have done a great job with him back at the beach, I thought his last two runs have been really good; his last run was a good toughening-up run and he took good benefit from that and hit the line well today.
“I was always keen to get to this race – I think he’s a horse that will get up over ten furlongs the way he hit the line today.
“He needs to be well-ridden; he’s got to settle back and get all the luck and you’ve got to produce him late and just save him for that last furlong and Kerrin done it terrific today.”
“It was a terrific time, he timed it perfectly and it’s a nice result.
“I sort of thought he might be a good one for the Tassie Carnival, so might be something to look at or maybe even Brisbane down the track.”
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best odds on all races remaining at Sandown on 2014 Zipping Classic Day!
2014 Eclipse Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | ZABISCO (NZ) | Darren Weir | Kerrin McEvoy | – | 3 | 54kg | $10 |
| 2 | 3 | PHEIDON | Gai Waterhouse | Craig Williams | 0.1L | 11 | 56kg | $4.80F |
| 3 | 7 | EXTRA ZERO | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Michael Walker | 0.4L | 8 | 54kg | $20 |
| 4 | 2 | RHYTHM TO SPARE (NZ) | Michael Moroney | Damian Lane | 1.15L | 9 | 56.5kg | $9 |
| 5 | 6 | ESCADO | Matt Laurie | Stephen Baster | 1.9L | 12 | 55kg | $5.50 |
| 5 | 4 | JACQUINOT BAY | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Nicholas Hall | 1.9L | 7 | 55.5kg | $41 |
| 7 | 8 | TRISTRAM’S SUN (NZ) | Robbie Laing | Vlad Duric | 3.4L | 6 | 54kg (cd 54.5kg) | $5 |
| 8 | 1 | SONNTAG | Henry Dwyer | Chad Schofield | 3.6L | 10 | 58.5kg | $7.50 |
| 9 | 11 | THE INVENTOR | Bevan Laming | James McDonald | 4.35L | 1 | 54kg | $31 |
| 10 | 5 | BEL THOR | Wez Hunter | Jamie Mott | 4.55L | 4 | 55kg (cd 55.5kg) | $15 |
| 11 | 12 | BY THE GRACE | Andrew Noblet | Dwayne Dunn | 8.3L | 2 | 54kg | $21 |
| 12 | 10 | CORREGGIO (NZ) | Murray Johnson | Cory Parish | 9.8L | 5 | 54kg | $71 |
