ZAAKI PUTS ON DEMOLITION JOB IN SYDNEY

Zaaki on the improve with Tramway Stakes demolition

Cox Plate favourite Zaaki put on an impressive display in the Group 2 feature over 1400m and looks set to do business going into a big spring campaign.

There had been money all week for Annabel Neashams star import and as he went off a $2.30 favourite he let down with an incredible burst of speed on the home turn that blew away the rest of the field. 

Winding down when hitting the line Zaaki finished a 1 ½ length winner over Chris Waller trained Aramayo, who put on an impressive performance at $51, and Star Of The Seas who finished third. 

After such an emphatic win, Neasham explained where the gun horse would be heading next on his road to the Cox Plate.

"We go to a mile or we go to 1800m in the Underwood. We will see how he pulls up and work that out next week," Neasham said, of the clear Cox Plate favourite.

"We have a few logistics to work out if he is to go down to Melbourne. He will certainly have one run down there before the Cox Plate.

"Whether he has two [runs in Melbourne], well we will let the dust settle and see how he comes through. He will be hard to beat wherever he goes."

Jockey James McDonald had ridden Zaaki on all barr one of his runs to date and admitted this one was the most exhilarating. 

"Anyone could have won on him today. He was electric. He put a good field to shame and did it easily.

"God help us [to get] these borders open. I want to get down there [to Melbourne].

"He just oozes confidence, he’s going through the grades really well.”

The win saw Zaaki’s Cox Plate price tighten to $3 on the all in markets while Verry Elleegant drifts out to $8.

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