Godolphin's promising colt Zebra Finch pushes for Group 1 J J Atkins start after his impressive victory at Rosehill
Yesterday's seven-horse affair held more interest than most of the other nine races on the Lord Mayor's Cup undercard given it overflowed with J J Atkins aspirants including the Chris Waller duo Hidden Achievement and pricey Frankel colt, Sarapo.
The Waller pair were expected to fight out on the finish as they had when they met at Gosford on Cup Day but were unable to make the same impact this time despite racing at home.
Both horses were marked at $15 to win the J J Atkins prior to their respective efforts yesterday.
Hidden Achievement blew out to $26 while Sarapo was wound out to $51.
Zebra Finch, meanwhile, had his price halved from $51 into $26 for the June 14 feature and carrying the imprimatur of one of the sport's champions.
'If he pulls up well, I'd send him up there, because he is going to get a mile,'' winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy said after the Schweppes Handicap (1300m).
'You obviously need a horse that runs a mile and you need a horse on the improve and that's possibly what he is going to be.
' It wasn't a big winning margin but I am sure with a better quality horse to aim at, he is going to be better again.
'He is the sort of colt that only does enough (but) I am sure if he got challenged there was an extra kick in the lock.
A great battle in the opener at Rosehill with Zebra Finch victorious! ðŸ¦'ðŸ'° @JamesCummings88 | @KPMcEvoy | @godolphin | @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/lxIZQMG4ua
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025
'So if James (Cummings) and the team decide to go to Brisbane for that mile race, I wouldn't be against it.'
At least one of the Waller-trained runners from the race looks likely to still make his way up to Brisbane for the last Group 1 two-year-old feature of the season with a decision pending on the other.
Yu Long Investments colt Hidden Achievement clocked in third behind Zebra Finch with future Guineas/Derby colt Sarapo three lengths behind in sixth.
'The race lacked tempo, it was a sit and sprint,'' assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth began.
'When Adam (Hyernonimus) won on Hidden Achievement last start, he was mindful that he probably rode him too close that day and took him out of his comfort zone. But he drew so well in a small field today that we basically had to do the same again.
'Adam's adamant that when you can put the bit in his mouth a little bit better, he'll have a better turn of foot.
'Adam is strongly pushing for Chris (to go to Brisbane with him). He said 'I don't care if I ride him or not but you should be running the horse in the JJ', that's his opinion.'
"It worked out perfect!"
Hear from Paul Reid and @KPMcEvoy on Zebra Finch, who might be headed north after his win today! @JamesCummings88 | @godolphin | @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/jHNLHBg6Im
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025
As for pricey $750,000 Magic Millions Yearling purchase Sarapo, Team Waller will let the dust settle on the colt's second career start before they decide on his next move.
'He was obviously a long way back off a soft tempo,'' Duckworth explained.
'He is going to be a miler at three you'd imagine, it's just whether you try and break through for that maiden win at two.
'Obviously he is by Frankel so if he ends up in the breeding barn, they're going to be worried about him if he doesn't win at two so it might be an important start for him or do we just look after him and just trust that he'll measure up at three.''
As for Zebra Finch, his own stud career will naturally hinge on the outcome of the J J Atkins but Darley would dearly love to add another Group 1 winning son of Exceed And Excel to their roster.
Not only is Zebra Finch by one of the truly global stallions of the modern era, his dam was a handy performer herself and by Lonhro who holds the rare honour of being crowned both Australian Horse of the Year and Champion General Sire.
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