Jockey Brett Prebble will go anywhere to ride Zouzarella (Zoustar) after the three-year-old filly registered her second win at The Valley in Saturday’s Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m).
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Zouzarella, who sports the black and gold checks of Brendan and Jo Lindsay, was forced to cover ground but it mattered little as she rounded up the field early in the straight to run out a convincing winner.
A $13 chance in betting, Zouzarella raced to a two-length win from Larkspur Run (Shamardal).
The soft conditions potentially aided Zouzarella on Saturday as Sam Freedman queried pre-race whether the daughter of Zoustar may have been looking for more ground.
“The query today was she looking for 1400 (metres),” Sam Freedman said.
“She’s handled the ground at home and in her trials, she’s handled it really well, so we knew she would handle the soft today.
“She didn’t have a lot of luck in running but she is that sort of big-framed filly who probably enjoys a bit room.”
Zouzarella is on a path towards the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 13.
Freedman said the filly was likely to have her next start in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) at Sandown on September 25 and then head on to the Guineas after that.
Prebble said Zouzarella had taken experience from her debut win which she displayed in Saturday’s impressive victory, adding she could handle any trip.
“She’s really put her hand up today,” Prebble said.
“What you’re seeing is what I felt a very long time ago. When it comes to fruition it’s a nice feeling.
“The Freedmans have had champions win derbies and then win three Lightnings in a row, so I’m not telling the Freedmans where to run a horse, but wherever she goes I just hope I’ve got a seat on her.”
