When the Kiwi’s travel, it pays to keep a close watch.
In the case of Mark Walker, he is in a slightly different situation establishing an Australian base at Cranbourne, but he does have an Australian first-starter set to run at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Unbeaten in New Zealand, Zourion (NZ) (Zoustar) runs in the Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) having done the majority of her work in New Zealand, just like Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) had before her explosive win in the McEwen Stakes at The Valley almost three weeks ago.
Walker has high hopes for Zourion and is targeting the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield in November, but first he wants to see how the filly shapes up against her Australian counterparts.
Zourion is unbeaten in two starts, winning at Taupo on debut before scoring in Group Two company on heavy ground at Matamata.
Walker took advantage of taking the filly to Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning to work with stablemate Imperatriz.
“I thought she was pretty good as she is still pretty new,” Walker said.
“It’s a bit of an ask to come over, and whatever she does in the spring, she’ll improve on physically.
“We’re happy with her, but two-year-old New Zealand form, compared to Australian form, she’s probably got to find a few lengths.”
Walker said he has been impressed with the way Zourion had settled into the surrounds at Cranbourne.
“She has been eating well, which is a big thing with young horses,” Walker said.
“She trialled up against the older horses at Taupo and we thought her trial was good enough to come and have a crack.
“She’s owned by Cambridge Stud and she’s a Group Two winner at home, so if you can add to that record, even if it’s a Group placing, it adds to pedigree.”
All going well, Zourion will head to the Gr.3 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) on October 21 and then into the Thousand Guineas at her third run for the campaign.
“Once she gets to the Thousand Guineas trip, that will suit her even better,” Walker said.
“She’s quite a leggy sort of filly and I think in the autumn you’ll see a really nice filly.”
