Zarzali produced an impressive start-to-finish run to win a minor race over 1700m on the Melbourne Cup card at Flemington on Tuesday, and trainer James Cummings is confident the performance has figured as an ideal tune-up for the classy mare ahead of Saturday’s Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m).

Jumping from the gates well, jockey Glen Boss allowed Zarzali to stride forward and take a position on the heels of the early leaders in the TAB.com.au Stakes, receiving a great run in transit.

Taking up the running prior to reaching the final straight, the Hussonet mare only continued to find for Boss in the dying stages of the race; eventually hitting the line a comfortable half-length in the clear of closest rival Precious Gem.

Cummings told Racing Ahead he was thrilled with Zarzali’s performance on Tuesday and is confident the short turn around into the 2015 Matriarch Stakes will not inhibit the four-year-old’s chances of further success.

“We were of the mind of approaching the Matriarch with that sort of preparation,” Cummings said.

“She’d been looming up to a win through her four starts leading up to Tuesday. They were strong efforts in really good company.

“Behind Winx the Cox Plate winner then first-up unsuitable over seven furlongs but got home really well.

“Glen Boss got to the front early there but he rode her like a good thing. He knows she’s got something left for Saturday so as a result, she’s come through the race very well. It was a trot and canter sort of event.”

Cummings was thrilled to deliver owner Tan Boon Seng a success on Melbourne Cup Day and is confident the conditions of the 2015 Matriarch Stakes, coupled with her allocation of an inside draw will pay dividends for Zarzali on Saturday.

“To get the win for her owner was nice, especially on the day and now she can go into the Matriarch after having a good course proper gallop there,” Cummings said.

“The rail coming out six metres – she’s drawn the inside again and it looks like it’s presented to us and is going to be a very difficult option to ignore.”

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