The Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield is scheduled to be the final appearance for Zakouma before he contests the Melbourne Cup.
Trainer Grahame Begg has designated the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) on Saturday as the stayer’s ultimate start prior to the 3200m Flemington feature on November 3.
Zakouma secured automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup through a ballot exemption, earned by his victory in The Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington in May.
This exemption has provided Begg with the freedom to select races that suit his preparation, rather than being compelled to race for qualification purposes.
Since his win in The Andrew Ramsden back in May, Zakouma has raced twice at Caulfield. He finished sixth in the Heatherlie Stakes (1700m), running on strongly from the back, and subsequently repeated his sixth-place finish in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) on September 19.
Begg expressed satisfaction with both of Zakouma’s recent runs, admitting that the distances involved were slightly shorter than ideal for the gelding.
He also acknowledged that the more compact Caulfield circuit is not as conducive to Zakouma’s racing style as the expansive Flemington track.
Begg had Zakouma at Caulfield on Tuesday for a gallop on well-prepared ground, providing a change of scenery from his usual Cranbourne training base.
“His work has been very sharp and he’s going well,” Begg commented.
“Caulfield is not really his track, and we are happy that he’s not running in the Caulfield Cup, but Saturday’s race fits in nicely towards the Melbourne Cup.”
“The Moonee Valley Cup is there (as a back-up), but I’ve consciously factored in just the one mile-and-a-half race.”
“There are races there as you just never know what could happen.”
Having stepped up from 2000m to 2800m to win The Andrew Ramsden, Begg is confident that the transition from Saturday’s 2400m to the 3200m Melbourne Cup distance, with a three-and-a-half-week break, will not present any difficulties.
“He went a month between runs before he won the Andrew Ramsden and went the 2800 metres without any worries,” Begg stated.
“We’re very conscious that it is a bit of a balancing act.”
“We don’t want to over-race him, and we want to keep the run in his legs, a bit of freshness, but he is a very clean-winded horse.”
“We’ll see what he does on Saturday and then keep adjusting his work accordingly.”
Zakouma is scheduled to undergo his pre-Melbourne Cup veterinary scans next Wednesday. This will allow Begg to fully concentrate on preparing his first Melbourne Cup starter.
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