FROM the Melbourne Cup to a Nowra mile, 'warhorse' Zacada will still be sharp enough to handle the 64kgs in Sunday's feature event at Shoalhaven City Turf Club, according to trainer Greg Lee.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Zacada ran 13th behind Cross Counter in the race that stops the nation in 2018, for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, having previously finished second in a photo in the Sydney Cup at $91.
Since relocated to the Randwick stable of Jim and Greg Lee, the now eight-year-old gelding has continued to show his class, running in the Group 3 Newcastle Cup (2300m) in September behind Mugatoo, who went on to be fourth in the Cox Plate and second in The Metropolitan.
Zacada resumed in the consolation race to The Gong at Kembla Grange, a Benchmark 88 over a mile, where he stuck without way clear in the straight, but Lee believes he'll only improve by staying at 1600m for the Nowra Cup.
"He'll handle the weight, no worries there," Lee said.
"He's a warhorse, he'll get through anything, so any rain will only help him.
"Having run in a Melbourne Cup, he will stay all day, but he should be sharp enough in this field anyway.
"Rain would help make it more of a staying test."
In a career of 56 starts for five wins and 13 placings, Zacada has more than $680,000 in prizemoney, which began in New Zealand, before being moved to Australia for the Melbourne Cup preparation after finishing fourth in the 3200m Auckland Cup.
And while he has steadily stepped down in class since, Lee maintains there is no sign of a career swansong.
"He doesn't know his age, if anything he is going better again now," he said.
"He had a slight accident before going towards the Metrop and St Leger, he got his leg tangled in a fence, otherwise he might have had a terrific prep.
"But the way he's going, he'll race until he's 10 or 11."
There were just nine acceptors for the $65,000 showcase event, with Zacada, with Bobby El-issa on board, drawing barrier seven.
The Richard and Michael Freedman-trained Greek Hero, who was third to Monegal first-up at Kembla Grange, has opened a $2.25 favourite with TAB.
Zacada is at $31, while the Robert and Luke Price-trained First Courrier, who has won his last three over a mile in lesser grades, is $19.
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
