Grahame Begg shifts focus to Nonconformist at Flemington after Zloties’ untimely injury ends Group 1 swan song

Trainer Grahame Begg will be seeking a winning boost at Flemington with Nonconformist after losing mare Zloties to injury.

Trainer Grahame Begg has cancelled a swan song Queensland Group 1 mission for Zloties.

Group 2 winner Zloties was going to be retired after the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 28 but an injury setback brought forward the plans for life after racing.

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Zloties, a $15 chance in early Tatt’s Tiara markets, won five of nine career starts including the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes (1600m) for owner-breeder Jonathan Munz.

“She’s retired,” Begg said.

“She’s not heading north … she’s heading to the breeding barn.”

Meanwhile, Begg has Nonconformist set for a Benchmark 100 at Flemington on Saturday.

Nonconformist has a big weight and wide draw but Begg said 2000m distance would suit the rising nine-year-old.

“He ran well (first-up in Adelaide), we’re happy with him,” Begg said.

“He actually raced like he wanted 2000m in the mile race.

“He’s trained on well, so we’re very happy.”

Zloties has been retired earlier than planned because of injury. Picture: Getty Images

Nonconformist is $6.50 second favourite from hat-trick candidate Liberami, up in grade from a Benchmark 84 last start.

Nonconformist, a $2.3m prizemoney earner, has performed consistently albeit without a win since the 2023 Group 2 Blamey Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.

The evergreen Rebel Raider gelding has raced exclusively in stakes’ grade since 2020.

“He’s conceding a good bit of weight under the conditions, in a Benchmark 100,” Begg said.

“A couple horses have 53kg in the race, conceding six kilos to a few but we’re happy.”

Begg said Nonconformist would be freshened after Saturday and prepare for the spring.

“The idea was to give him one or two runs, back off him and come up again for the spring,” Begg said.

“We won’t have any major, lofty goals, races like (the Coongy) suit him.”

Begg confirmed Listed Bel Esprit Stakes winner Niance is in the paddock, with spring targets in mind for the smart sprint mare, while Splash Back, who also won at Caulfield last Saturday, would head to Flemington on June 21 in a 1400m fillies and mares Benchmark 90.

Originally published as Grahame Begg shifts focus to Nonconformist at Flemington after Zloties’ untimely injury ends Group 1 swan song