Melbourne, April 22 – Progressive three year-old Zabeel colt Zabeelionaire was fourth in the Group I VRC Victoria Derby back in the spring and judging by his strong win at Caulfield on Saturday he may yet win a Derby before the season is out.
Prepared by Leon Corstens, Zabeelionaire turned in a terrific trial for the upcoming Group I SAJC Derby when charging home from back in the field to win the 2000 metre open event for three year-olds by a dominant two and a half lengths.
Talented, but at times frustrating, Zabeelionaire has won two of his 10 starts earning $147,280 in prizemoney and by all accounts is lucky to still be a colt with his trainer giving serious thought to gelding his enigmatic charge.
“I whispered to him if he didn’t win today that on Monday ‘they’ would be gone but whether that helped or not, I don’t know,” Corstens said.
“His work has been sensational and I thought he would be better if he was held up.
“You just have to take the initiative away from him early and get him to switch off and then he finishes his races off.
“When he puts his mind to it he is a pretty good horse.”
Like the majority of the Zabeel stock, Zabeelionaire is improving with maturity and is clearly on an upswing this preparation.
“He was quite immature but I think this time around he has developed a bit more and even in the last month or so has gone through a growing phase,” he said.
“I thought he looked terrific today. He was nice and calm and hopefully he is peaking at the right time.”
A $250,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the draft of Yarraman Park, Zabeelionaire is bred to stay all day and is the first winner for Group II placed Carnegie (IRE) mare Kisumu, who comes from the family of Group I winner Vialli.