David Hayes will use the debut of $1.5 million colt Zulu Land to gauge whether to set the youngster for Melbourne’s premier juvenile race.
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Zulu Land steps out for the first time in Saturday’s Flemington Equine Clinic Plate (1000m) at Caulfield on the back of a barrier trial win at Benalla in country Victoria.
The son of Fastnet Rock was bought as part of a joint venture between Coolmore and the China Horse Club at the Sydney Easter Yearling Sale this year.
“He’s on trial to tell me whether to set him for the Blue Diamond,” Hayes said.
Zulu Land, to be ridden by Stephen Baster, was at $7 on Friday with the Peter Snowden-trained debutant Orujo favourite at $3.20.
The Matt Laurie-trained first starter My Lucky Strike opened at $21 with TAB fixed odds on Wednesday but has firmed to $6.50.
Hayes says Zulu Land will be better over 1200m and next preparation but believes he can be competitive on debut.
“He has been well educated. You don’t tend to run 1.5 million-dollar horses unless they are doing things right,” the trainer said.
“If he does everything right in the pre-race, I think he’ll be competitive.”
While Zulu Land gets the chance to put himself in the frame for better-class juvenile races, stablemate Gracious Prospect is on trial for another interstate trip when he runs in the CRV Hospital Helping Hand Plate (1400m).
The well-travelled colt raced in four states during a hectic juvenile season without a victory.
The three-year-old finally scored in maiden company at his 14th start over 1430m at Geelong on November 17.
Gracious Prospect was narrowly beaten as favourite in his only Caulfield appearance in May when subsequent Group One winner Polanski chased him down.
“I was shattered that day when he got beaten, and it ended up being by the Derby winner,” Hayes said.
“I reckon he’s on trial tomorrow for the Magic Millions three-year-old race.”
The $1 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) is at the Gold Coast in January.
He finished midfield as an outsider in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic early this year.
The market suggest Hayes’ best Caulfield chance is in the final race with Backstedt second favourite behind the Mike Moroney-trained Murcielaga.
