The superbly bred Zabeel gelding Zabrasive snared his first Group 1 victory on Saturday when he claimed a narrow victory in the $500, 000 Group 1 Darley Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
Trained by John O’Shea Zabrasive ($6) with champion hoop Nash Rawiller aboard defeated the Bart Cummings-trained Rock Classic ($3.70) by a mere nose with the sole filly of the field, Run For Naara ($11) running a gallant third two lengths further away.
The warm pre-race favourite Shoot Out ($2.40), who was aiming for the Randwick Guineas – Rosehill Guineas double, had no luck on the day settling well back in the field before finishing fourth.
Zabrasive proved he was a certain stayer, excelling over the 2000m distance and improving on his lacklustre fourth place to Shoot Out last start in the Randwick Guineas over 1600m.
After Gathering set the pace and lead early on, Zabrasive soon rounded him up and got to the front with 200m to go.
In the closing stages of the race Australian Crown Guineas winner Rock Classic, ridden by Michael Rodd who later voiced his disappointment in Rock Classic’s commitment in the final few metres, pulled out a late finishing burst challenging the leader and giving the spectators a terrific two-horse show.
Rock Classic got to the lead inside the 100m, but Zabrasive gave it everything he got, surging to the front once more and coming away with a close win.
Zabrasive, purchased for $95, 000 at the New Zealand Premier Sales in 2008, has now saluted in three of his six career starts and has earned just over $370, 000 in prizemoney.
Zabrasive’s boom sire Zabeel has produced two other Rosehill Guineas winners, Octagonal and Sky Heights who both backed up their success with a win in the AJC Australian Derby and now Zabrasive has a chance to do the same.
The next assignment for Zabrasive will be the $1.3million AJC Australian Derby
The next assignment for the improving three-year-old will be the $1.3million Group 1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 10. Following Saturday’s impressive win Zabrasive is now the favourite for the AJC Derby currently at $4.20 with IASbet ahead of Bart Cummings’ dynamic duo Faint Perfume ($7) and Rock Classic ($8).
2010 Darley Rosehill Guineas Results
Placing |
Horse |
Trainer |
Jockey |
| 1 |
ZABRASIVE (NZ) |
John O’Shea | Nash Rawiller |
| 2 |
ROCK CLASSIC |
Bart Cummings | Michael Rodd |
| 3 |
RUN FOR NAARA |
John P Thompson | Chris Munce |
| 4 |
SHOOT OUT |
John Wallace | Stathi Katsidis |
| 5 |
GATHERING |
John P Thompson | Jim Cassidy |
| 6 |
CAPTAIN SONADOR |
Roger Milne | Scott Seamer |
| 7 |
EXTRA ZERO |
David Hayes | Steven Arnold |
| 8 |
COSMOCRAT |
Mick Price | Blake Shinn |
| 9 |
SAINT ENCOSTA |
John P Thompson | Brenton Avdulla |
| Scratched: | |||
| HANKS | |||
| KIDNAPPED |
