Bennett Racing 4yo Zaszou has always shown good talent throughout her short career and on Sunday at Seymour gave notice she has come back better than ever. Making her debut for the in-form Phillip Stokes Stable, Zaszou simply toyed with her rivals dashing away for an impressive 2.25 Len win. The mare was a little restless in the stalls before jumping but she came out well and was quickly into stride. Thomas Stockdale drove the mare up along the rail, eventually settling 3rd behind the leader. Zaszou was always travelling well throughout and when Thomas eased the mare out on the turn for home, she put the race away in a few bounds under no riding. Terrific to see the daughter of Zoustar stylishly lengthen out in the run to the line winning with ears pricked.
Zasou made her debut in March this year with a good 3rd behind the promising Moby Dick, who incidentally resumed on Saturday at Flemington with a dashing win down the straight. The then 3yo filly then led throughout easily winning at Cranbourne. Nine days later she ventured over to Adelaide for the Listed Claire Lindop Stks over 1600m but after leading into the straight, the earlier hectic pace took its toll and she eventually finished a 5 len 6th. Dropping back in distance she last run was a creditable 3rd over 1400m at Pakenham.
After completing her pre training at CRC Equine, Zaszou was transferred to the Phillip Stokes Stable and early reports from Phil indicated that she had come into his stables a stronger version from her 3yo year. A couple of good jumpouts for the stable had her primed for the 1st up win. Zaszou overall record now stands at 7 starts, 2 – 0 – 3 $55,710 in prizemoney. She was a $200k purchase at the 2022 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Kitchwin Hills Draft.
Zaszou is a daughter of Champion Racehorse and sire Zoustar, himself an emerging and exciting broodmare sire. She is a daughter of the smart multiple Group 3 placed mare Zasorceress a daughter the Champion racehorse Zabeel, himself recognised as one of the greatest broodmare sires of our time. Zabeel is the sire of the dams of 3401 rnrs, 2291 wnrs, 43 Gr.1 wnrs, inc. SW Johnny Get Angry, Rangipo, Tarzino, Werther, Dundeel, Ocean Park, Silent Achiever, Southern Speed, Sarrera, Aegon, Toffee Tongue, Avantage, Darci Brahma, Atlantic Jewel, Bonneval, Werther, Samantha Miss and Humidor etc. Zasorceress is a ¾ sister to to Champion NZ 3yo filly Lafleur dam of the Group 3 winning Amarytllis and Listed winner Papilo. Another ½ sister Zygadane is the dam of the Listed winning & Group 1 placed Wildflower.
Zaszou comes from an outstanding family with her 4th dam being the Champion Filly Habibti, Top of The 1983 European 3YO Classification (1000m-1200m). Top filly on The 1982 Irish 2YO Free H. 9 wins-3 at 2-at 1000m, 1200m, £259,812, 420,000fr.and winner of the Royal Ascot King’s Stand S., Gr.1, Newmarket July Cup, Gr.1, Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp, Gr.1, Curragh Moyglare Stud S., Gr.2, Haydock Sprint Cup, Gr.2, York William Hill Sprint Championship S., Gr.2, Lowther S., Gr.2, Lingfield Leisure S., L, 2d Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp, Gr.1, Haydock Sprint Cup, Gr.2, 3d York William Hill Sprint Championship S., Gr.1, The One Thousand Guineas, Gr.1, Ascot Diadem S., Gr.3, Newbury Fred Darling S., Gr.3. Habibti was a ¾ sister to Great Klaire (dam of St. Klaire) and Hall Of Fame Broodmare of the Year Eight Carat dam of Champion Octagonal and Group 1 winners Diamond Lover, Kaapstad, Marquise and Mouawad.
Congratulations to all owners in Zaszou and thankyou to Phillip Stokes and his Team for having Zaszou ready for her terrific 1st up win.