Kembla preview: Zaragoza ready to shine in take two for new trainers Robert and Luke Price
A former Godolphin gelding can kick off his career for new trainers Robert and Luke price with a first-up win on his home track.
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Zaragoza had a false start to his career with new trainers Robert and Luke Price and they hope there is no repeat when he steps out on his home track.
The former Godolphin galloper was due to resume at Kembla two weeks ago but he was a late scratching after playing up in the barriers.
Luke Price is hoping it was just a case of being fresh and standing in the gates the longest after drawing barrier 1 that was the problem for Zaragoza.
“It was disappointing he played up in the barriers. When we trialled him, he showed no signs of it,” Price said.
“I’m just thinking it was the fact he was standing in the gates so long in barrier 1 and he was well above himself.
“He did enough things right in his trial at Randwick last Friday.
“Hopefully that was just a one off.”
The three-quarter brother to Osborne Bulls and half to Zapateo was a maiden winner at his third start on a Heavy 9 at Kembla when still part of the Godolphin team.
He looks hard to beat in the Class 1 Handicap (1000m) with Chad Schofield to ride.
“He’s a beautiful creature and I feel he will keep getting better as he gets older. Especially on what he shows us at home. He’s a big strong horse,” Price said.
“He is a lovely animal and we expect him to run very well in this race.”
Mega Fight is racing consistently but is becoming a little frustrating for connections with placings in four of his last five starts without winning.
The three-year-old did have excuses last start when runner-up behind Another Fortune at Hawkesbury and gets his chance to break through in the Maiden Plate (1600m).
“I was probably questioning how genuine he was but the other day, the gear change with the shadow roll on was perfect unfortunately he kicked up at the last second and got his leg up on the sideboard of the barriers,” said Price.
“He missed it (the start) a fair way but closed off very well. His run was super.
“He is very immature still so it would be lovely to get a win on the board and boost his confidence.
Another Fortune goes home best to win Race 2 at Hawkesbury! @G1TySchil@leverracingpic.twitter.com/SCgSs9X1N1
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 25, 2024
“He handles the wet track and he will run well.”
Dundeel filly Madam Rupee may have surprised many when she won at $101 here two weeks ago but not Price.
The half-sister to their former highly talented gelding Count De Rupee has shown ability in her trials and ran a handy race on debut in January but just wasn’t comfortable on the heavy track when resuming on May 18.
“I thought her first run was a ripper and we spelled her after that to look after her.
“She wasn’t comfortable on the heavy track here first-up and if the track is a genuine heavy again, we will save her for another day.
“She’s too good to waste runs with on heavy ground.
“She is a beautiful filly and I think she will go through her grades quite quickly.”
The Super Maiden Plate (1200m) has come up a very strong race prior to scratchings but Price feels Fugitiva and Asteride can make their presence felt.
“This is a very good Kembla maiden but gee Fugitiva deserves to win a race,” he said.
“I expect her to improve three lengths off her first-up run and she is up there with our top chances for the day.
“Asteride will be improved by her first-up run on the Kensington and will appreciate getting out over a bit further but she gets in well with the claim.”
VEGAS DREAM VICTORY TO BECOME A REALITY
Local trainer Mitch Beer declared he would be disappointed if his trio of runners don’t finish in the money on their home track.
Leading his charge is Vegas Dream is coming off gutsy run when finishing on the heels of the placegetters at Newcastle on June 22.
The three-year-old drew barrier 1 and led but that wasn’t the place to be on the day.
“He just got beat by the track pattern at Newcastle last start. The rail was out 11 metres and he drew barrier 1,” said Beer.
“It was a race to the outside fence and it was a swoopers paradise. I thought he was great.”
Prior to that run, the son of American Pharoah was runner-up in his first two runs back from a spell at Albury and Gosford while he ended last campaign with a win at Canberra and was third to Nicci’s Gem at Kembla.
Gallic Fox sails down the outside to claim Race 6 at @newcastleraces_ giving @NockBraith a winning double 👠pic.twitter.com/M9WTkr5C9r
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 22, 2024
“That was his only run at Kembla he was beaten less than half a length in running third on a Heavy 10 last December,” Beer said.
“The wetter the track is, the better it will suit him. I think he is pretty well placed.
Vegas Dream opened at $4.80 with TAB Fixed Odds behind Lights Of Paradise ($4.60) before firming into a $3.90 favourite for the Class 1 Handicap (1400m).
Highballer made his debut for the stable at Nowra on June 13 where he was a game second behind Scalextrics.
With that run under his belt and step up in trip in the Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1600m, Beer expects him to be right in the finish again.
“It wasn’t an ideal race for him at Nowra. He was actually in at Kembla but the meeting got called off so we had to go to Plan B,” he said.
“He had a huge amount of weight first-up over 1400 metres on the heavy.
“He strips fitter, his work has been good and I think he is a great chance.
“He gets out to a mile, he loves soft tracks and gets in better at the weights, especially after the 3kg claim.”
Scissor Me Timbers has been freshened after a gutsy maiden win at Nowra over 1400m and will run a cheeky race despite dropping back in trip in the Class 1 (1000m).
“He went pretty quick out in front and was vulnerable late but still hung on to win over 1400 metres,” he said.
“It was pretty heavy that day and will be heavy again this week.”
Originally published as Kembla preview: Zaragoza ready to shine in take two for new trainers Robert and Luke Price
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