Kensington preview: Zouatica looking to repeat deeds of stablemate 12 months ago on his way to Big Dance showdown

A win on the Kensington can propel Zouatica towards the Five Diamonds Prelude on the path to the Big Dance just as it did for his stablemate Super Helpful last year.

Zouatica takes his next step towards the Big Dance when he heads to the Kensington on Wednesday. Picture: Grant Guy

Trainers Barbara Joseph and Paul and Matt Jones finished third in last year’s Big Dance with Super Helpful and will take the same path to this year’s edition talented gelding Zouatica.

Super Helpful kicked off 2023 spring campaign with a fifth in the Panorama before a benchmark win at Rosehill, a seventh in the Five Diamonds Prelude at Randwick before finishing third behind Attractable and Cepheus in the Big Dance.

Zouatica resumed in the Panorama at Bathurst and although finishing a 2½-length sixth behind Compelling Truth, his run had plenty of merit to it according to Paul Jones.

“He drew barrier one and was in there for about eight minutes when a horse played up and was vetted twice before being scratched,” Jones said.

“He’s normally the quickest horse out but he missed it by a length and a half before driving through to lead and then being taken on.

“In hindsight, I would have preferred he just take his medicine after missing the start rather than be ridden along for the first 300m or 400m.

“It was a good run because I thought he was going to drop right out but he stuck to his guns even though he was out of gas late.”

The son of Zoustar has taken good improvement from the run according to Jones and will appreciate stepping up a little in distance when he contests the Benchmark 78 over 1400m before progressing towards his main goal – the $3,000,000 Big Dance at Randwick on November 5.

“We have our grand final and that’s the Big Dance and we are going through the program we have set with this being one of the races.

“Typically, a Benchmark 78 is normally a Saturday race but with the carnival, it’s back at a midweek day.

“He’s a five-year-old so he will then go the Five Diamonds Prelude which we did with Super Helpful last year.

“He started off in the Panorama, then went to Sydney for a 1300m which he won then rolled into the Five Diamonds Prelude before the Big Dance.”

Zouatica adds another win to his record at @gosford_races for Barbara Joseph, Paul and Matt Jones! pic.twitter.com/U3EArAIPPX

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 10, 2024

Joining Zouatica on the truck to Sydney are Belleistic Kids and Oye Aye.

The stable gave Belleistic Kids his first try beyond a mile in the Bathurst Cup over 1800m when fourth but was a little unlucky not to have finished closer according to Jones when held up.

He has been freshened for the drop back to 1300m in the Benchmark 72.

“We tipped him out for just under 10 days following his run at Bathurst,” he said.

“He was due to have a gallop on Tuesday but when we saw the nominations extended, we thought he could go in there as well.

“He’s very versatile and while he probably won’t lead over the 1300m, he will be very strong late.

“He could then back-up in the Big Dance Qualifier next week over a mile.”

Bonny mare One Aye will appreciate stepping back up in distance when she contests the Benchmark 72 (1800m).

She was a winner over 1800m at Randwick four starts ago before a third in the Forbes Cup and a fifth to Etna Rosso over 1900m at Rosehill on August 17 and a fifth to Watch My Girl over 1600m at Warwick Farm nearly six weeks later.

“We gave her a freshen-up after her Rosehill run for two weeks on a water-walker just near by in Canberra,” Jones said.

“I thought may have got a little tired late but she was a bit fitter that I gave her credit for and wasn’t far away at all.

“She’s back up to 1800m and is just a real trier.”

African Daisy primed to snap drought

As the excitement builds for Dean and Adam Watt of Dynamic Syndications with their first runner in next week’s $20m The TAB Everest with I Am Me, their immediate focus is on two strong contenders at the Randwick-Kensington meeting.

The Jason Deamer-trained African Daisy looks well placed to end a 20-month drought when she resumes in the Ranvet Handicap Benchmark 78 (1250m).

The daughter of American Pharoah’s last win was at Rosehill over the same distance back on January 28 last year.

She has been a consistent performer in her 13 starts since, with seven placings along with three more top-five finishes, while her first-up record is strong, with two wins and three placings from six starts.

“She has got a great first-up, record she gets the services of (James) McDonald, which is huge, and she probably looks the best I have ever seen her,” said Adam Watt.

“I got a video from Jason Deamer on Tuesday morning and I couldn’t believe it was the same horse. She has been a mare who has taken some time to develop but she has really matured now and looks amazing.

“Her trial the other day was fantastic. Bubba’s Bay went to Queensland on Saturday and won impressively and she was right there with her in the trial and arguably could have gone past her.

“She has been a terrific horse for us and deserves another win.

“She has been knocking on the door and hopefully her reward can be this week.”

Dynamic’s other runner for the day is the Ciaron Maher-trained Cheval Savant, who will appreciate stepping up to his preferred distance in the TAB Handicap Benchmark 72 over 1800m.

The gelding was excellent, despite finishing eighth to Behind The Storm when resuming over 1500m at Newcastle on September 20 after being checked passing the 800m mark and coming wide off the bend.

“I thought his effort first-up was outstanding. He probably just peaked on his run the last little bit after getting into some trouble early,” Watt said.

“I particularly liked the way he accelerated from the 400m to the 200m before just grinding away the last bit first-up and needing the run.

“From barrier one, he will position just behind the speed and get every favour imaginable.”

Originally published as Kensington preview: Zouatica looking to repeat deeds of stablemate 12 months ago on his way to Big Dance showdown