Simon Zahra to debut Snitzel filly Declichy Boulevard at Geelong on Saturday
The inaugural running of the Geelong Diamond on Saturday will provide trainer Simon Zahra with the perfect opportunity to debut a flashy but promising type.
Horse Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Punters won’t miss first-starter Declichy Boulevard in Saturday’s $150,000 Rex Gorell Geelong Diamond.
The inaugural Geelong Diamond will form part of Geelong’s first Saturday stand-alone meeting, which also includes the $300,000 Coast Classic and Listed Black Pearl Stakes.
Declichy Boulevard, a flashy chestnut daughter of Snitzel, has a bold white blaze down the centre of her face as well as large white socks on her hind legs.
Trainer Simon Zahra said Declichy Boulevard’s looks come from her dam’s side with the filly’s maternal great-grandsire Starcraft almost identically marked.
• Laurie has a new Boss in town after Flemington win
Starcraft developed into a brilliant galloper, progressing from a Doomben maiden win to victory in the Australian Derby in the 2003/04 season.
Starcraft went on to win a Group 1 race in New Zealand and a Group 1 contest over 1600m in France before retiring to stud.
Zahra said Declichy Boulevard, a $380,000 yearling purchase, was showing all the early signs she would become a talented 1600m horse later in her career.
“She’s still a bit green, especially when she gets in among them but I think she’ll get a bit more ground over time,” Zahra said.
“But she’s got nice toe and a good turn of foot.”
Declichy Boulevard showed plenty of pace when improving to easily win her second jumpout at Flemington on December 22.
Zahra said Declichy Boulevard could move on to tackle stakes races in the coming weeks if she races up to her jumpout at Geelong.
• Mr Brightside back on the Group 1 hunt
“She does everything really professional but she just lacks a little bit of experience, that’s all,” Zahra said.
“Saturday is a nice start for her.
“If she runs well, we can keep going with her and maybe plot a path to some better races
but I think she might make a nice miler later on.”
Blaike McDougall will ride Declichy Boulevard at Geelong.
Originally published as Simon Zahra to debut Snitzel filly Declichy Boulevard at Geelong on Saturday
Pride Of Jenni crowned Australia’s top racehorse
After dazzling Australian racing with her bold frontrunning style, superstar mare Pride Of Jenni has been crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year in Adelaide on Tuesday night.
Ottobre gives Jenni’s Cox Plate lead-up wish
Ciaron Maher has plenty of options with star mare Pride Of Jenni but owner Tony Ottobre has given his preference for her last lead-up run before the Cox Plate.