Duke Of Hastings out to repeat last year’s form for trainer Simon Zahra at The Valley

Getting back to his right grade could produce sharp improvement from a Simon Zahra-trained runner at The Valley on Saturday.

Trainer Simon Zahra will be out to replicate his deeds of last year with honest stayer Duke Of Hastings. Picture: Racing Photos

Can a class drop help stayer Duke Of Hastings improve seven lengths at The Valley on Saturday?

Duke Of Hastings has finished seven lengths from the winner at his two runs in open class at Flemington but drops back to Benchmark 78 grade in the Domsafe Handicap (2500m).

Duke Of Hastings improved sharply when getting back to The Valley this time last year, winning a Benchmark 78 contest at $17 in August, 2023.

Flemington trainer Simon Zahra has been happy with Duke Of Hastings’ performances in more difficult assignments at his past two outings at Flemington.

“We gave him a crack at those races probably knowing he’s not a genuine 2800m horse but he just to got too far out of his ground at Flemington last start,” Zahra said.

Duke Of Hastings could improve sharply getting back to The Valley on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos

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“He was back on the fence and it was windy so he was copping all of that.

“He had a good turn of foot until the 200m but he just had enough after that.”

TAB assessed Duke Of Hastings as a $15 chance to post his first win for almost a year in Saturday’s $130,000 contest.

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Zahra said the son of Sacred Falls needed to jump cleanly to challenge his rivals on Saturday.

“He’s costing himself by missing the start and getting too far out of his ground,” Zahra said.

“Hopefully he can jump better but he likes The Valley.

“He’s a big horse but he gets around there well and Saturday looks a nice race for him”

Beau Mertens will ride Duke Of Hastings at The Valley.

Originally published as Duke Of Hastings out to repeat last year’s form for trainer Simon Zahra at The Valley