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Extra Zero has recorded his first win since February 2010 in today's Sportingbet Handicap (1700m) at Caulfield which also featured an encouraging Australian debut from Hong Kong-trained Melbourne Cup hopeful Mighty High.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The David Hayes-trained Extra Zero had not won since his three-year-old season when taking out the Group 2 Yalumba 161 (1600m) at Caulfield during February 2010 but the Danzero gelding today showed his newfound maturity in the Sportingbet Handicap (1700m).
Ridden by Craig Williams, Extra Zero settled midfield as race favourite Carnero led. The pair saved ground along the inside rail and by just outside the final furlong had found clear running.
After trailing Avienus throughout the run Extra Zero came home the better to win the Sportingbet Handicap (1700m) by a long neck over the Mark Webb-trained mare.
“He put the writing on the wall at the valley two weeks ago and got a terrific ride by Craig [Williams],” trainer David Hayes said.
“To win at this time of year is very good and I think he might get through to Group 3 level.”
Extra Zero has been ridden by leading jockey Craig Williams at his past two starts who noted the Group 1 placegetter had shown further improvement from a last start second at Moonee Valley on September 10.
“I went down and worked at Euroa to have a look at David's new set-up and I was amazed that one of the horses he put me on was this horse,” Williams said.
“He said that the horse has really come on in his training and has put on so much weight.
“I rode him last time when he ran second at Moonee Valley and has really come on from then as well. It was a really encouraging win today.”
The performance can largely be attributed to a good tactical ride by Williams where gaps opened at ideal times such as the split the pair received just outside the 200m after following Avienus throughout.
“I just followed Avienus through,” Williams said.
“She is a good horse to follow and I was able to get a run through. I was really happy though how my horse was relatively untouched and won with a bit up his sleeve as well.”
Third in the event was HK Group 1 winner Mighty High who kicked off his Melbourne Spring Cups campaign encouragingly.
The John Moore-trained gelding with a 61.5kg impost got going well over the concluding stages after being blocked for a run at the top of the straight.
Mighty High's next assignment will likely be the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in three weeks time on October 15.
Following the race Extra Zero's trainer David Hayes was also complimentary of stablemate Roma Giaconda who earlier finished runner-up behind Manawanui in the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.
“To have her place in a Group 2 and pick up $50,000 was fantastic,” Hayes said.
“It was a bit of a gamble but we had a little practice on the Sydney leg in Albury and I actually think she is a pretty good filly.”
The Stan Fox Stakes was a quantum leap in difficulty for the Magic Albert filly who was coming off a last start maiden win at Albury a fortnight ago.
“We've placed her conservatively but we might start to get a bit more aggressive with her now,” Hayes said.