Trainer Grahame Begg is excited about the untapped potential of King Zephyr as the in-form galloper prepares to tackle Stakes grade at Flemington this Saturday.
With five wins from six starts, including four in succession this campaign, King Zephyr steps into new territory in the Listed Straight Six (1200m), which could pave the way for a Queensland campaign.
Begg has been gradually raising the bar for King Zephyr, who has banked close to $145,000, but now sees the need for a bigger test if a Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) tilt is to eventuate next month at Eagle Farm.
“I’ve had this race earmarked for some time,” Begg said.
“We thought if the horse is to go to Queensland, he will need to get quite a significant ratings boost especially if you are thinking of a Stradbroke, or something like that.
“He’s still unexposed to a higher grade of horse, but this would give us that opportunity if could get the job done on Saturday to boost his rating and maybe get into the Stradbroke.
“If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. We can pull the pin, don’t go to Queensland and may be even have a look around for something else.”
Despite his rating of 82, King Zephyr will carry the same impost as higher-rated rivals due to the presence of Lim’s Kosciuszko, who heads the weights at 60.5kg. The race also includes horses with even lower ratings, something Begg takes comfort from.
King Zephyr comes into the race off a Flemington win over 1400m and will now test himself over 1200m down the straight, potentially on a rain-affected surface.
“We don’t know about him down the straight, so that will be a new challenge, and he is back to 1200 metres, but he is three weeks between runs,” Begg said.
“He’s had a nice bit of down time and has freshened up well, but we feel Flemington will suit him and he is an adaptable horse as nothing seems to worry him.
“There may be up to 10 mils of rain on the day, so it might be similar conditions to what he raced on last time and that didn’t bother him.
“If it is a little worse, the breed, the Hallowed Crown’s, they do seem to handle the ground, but you don’t know until you try them on it, but I think he will be OK.”
Check out top Australian betting sites for the latest odds on the Straight Six and upcoming features like the Stradbroke Handicap.