Bennett Racing’s smart 5yo Zou Sensation returned to Caulfield on Saturday, the scene of his last start impressive win and it was a touch of déjà vu for the son of Zoustar. Stepping up to BM 100 grade and drawn in close again, Zou Sensation rode a fast speed, challenged strongly in the straight and went on to win despite most so called experts not rating him highly. All sounded easy for Jamie Melham but she didn’t have an easy ride.
They went quick early running the first 600m in a slick 36.55s which was a whopping 5.46lens faster than standard – almost 1 second. They dropped anchor as the 1000m and Zou Sensation got tightened which he didn’t enjoy and started to pull. Jamie did her best trying to hold him but big Zou is hard to hold when he wants to get rolling. Jamie let him slide forward from the 600m and to the turn he loomed up under a hold. She released the brakes at the 300m and within 4 strides the big boy hit the front and burst away going on to win by a soft 1.75lens. The overall time of 1m25.01s was 5.22lens better than standard and the quickest of the 3 x 1400m races on the day.
What I liked about this win was how the horse, despite pulling, was able to run beautifully controlled sections from the 1000m to the finish. He broke 60s for the 1000m, 48s for the 800m, 36s for the 600m and 24s for the 400m before finishing the last 200m in 12.23s. Controlled and powerful smashing the opposition.
This was Zou Sensation’s best win so far in a career and the 1st time from 4 tries that he has won at 1400m and it was an emphatic win. Right up to Open grade here in a BM100 – he relished the big drop in weight and won very impressively. He went into this race with a rating of 87 and will probably now go to 93-95. He improved even further on Saturday and there still looks more to come with a possible crack at some stakes races in the spring.
His overall record is 24 starts, 6 – 3 – 4 $458,650. He is a 5 time Metro Winner and Stakes Placed as a 2yo.
Yet another Bennett Racing horse by Champion Sire Zoustar, Zou Sensation was a 150k Magic Millions purchase from Widden Stud. He is one of only two foals for his dam the Danehill Dancer mare Dame Claire (NZ ) who was a winner of the Listed VRC Andrew Ramsden Stakes and also the Listed MRC RM Ansett Classic. Certainly bred to stay a distance Dame Claire comes from the family of smart stayer Horrifying and International Group winners many bred by The Aga Khan incl Arcangues, Agathe, Aquarelliste, Artiste Royal, Annenkov, Alamo Bay, Australie, Forgotten Voice, Angara, Actrice, Arlesienne, Galatee, Cape Verdi etc.
Note – The only other foal produced by Zou Sensations dam Dame Claire is the rising 3yo filly Zouclaire by Zousain making her a ¾ sister to Zou Sensation. Zouclaire was a very smart 2nd on debut in the Magic Millions 2yo at Caulfield in November before an unlucky unplaced effort in a Magic Millions 2yo Qualifier in January. The promising filly has been transferred to Ciaron Maher.
Congratulations to all owners in Zou Sensation who’s patience has been rewarded and a big thankyou to the Team at Malua Racing.