Annabel Neasham’s star import Zaaki returns as the deserving short-priced favourite to successfully defend his title in the 2022 A.D. Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast this weekend.

Last year’s champ Zaaki is odds-on favourite to take out Saturday’s 2022 A.D. Hollindale Stakes on the Gold Coast. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Last Queensland Winter Racing Carnival the ace British-bred galloper was brilliant winning the Group 2 $500,000 A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m) by over two lengths.

He would go on to enjoy a stellar season in the sunshine state recording a seven-length romp home in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) before victory in the lucrative $1.2 million Group 2 The Q22 over 2200m.

A subsequent dual Group 1 champion in Melbourne over the spring, the evergreen seven-year-old has been equally impressive this campaign.

Two back Zaaki won the $5 million The All-Star Mile (1600m) in style at HQ before his close second on a Heavy (10) Randwick track when only a half-length second to Think It Over in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

He’s been freshened-up since and looks ready to fire with a month between runs.

Drawn a treat in barrier four with James McDonald aboard, Zaaki is the class horse and looks a huge chance to go back-to-back in the race for the first time since Leebaz (2015-16).

The AD Hollindale Stakes betting markets suggest the same with Zaaki at an odds-on quote of $1.60 and firming at Ladbrokes.com.au.

The only other runner under double-figures at current AD Hollindale Stakes odds of $6 is Ayrton for Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr.

Jumping from out wide in barrier 14 with Hugh Bowman in the saddle, the ultra-consistent Kiwi-bred son of Iffraaj is starting to put together a very nice record with six wins and two minor placings from his eight career starts to date.

A progressive four-year-old, he has won two of his past three assignments in easier grade including a last start Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) win at Caulfield over Streets Of Avalon.

Outside the top two in betting the only other runners under $20 for an upset are the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained French import Huetor ($11), the Chris Waller-trained mare Polly Grey ($13) coming off a Group 3 JRA Plate win (2000m) at Randwick and the airborne daughter of Shamexpress from New Zealand Coventina Bay ($19).

The 2022 A.D. Hollindale Stakes is set to run as the Gold Coast Race 8 at 3:33pm (AEST) with the latest markets, courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au, available in full here.

2022 AD Hollindale Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw

Table Credit: Racing Australia.