Two 2000m Group 1 races at Flemington are on the radar for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable, with Zambardo being their prominent contender.
The Cox Plate, which this year takes place on October 24 and has moved from Moonee Valley due to its redevelopment, and the Champions Stakes, scheduled two weeks later, are races that Price has highly rated.
Zambardo’s previous outing at Flemington was in last year’s Champions Stakes during Melbourne Cup week, where he finished behind Via Sistina.
The gelding’s campaign in Sydney and Brisbane during the autumn and winter seasons was, according to Price, less than satisfactory.
After securing midfield finishes at Randwick and Gosford, Zambardo found his preferred wet conditions at Rosehill, coming second in the Lord Mayors Cup, before travelling to Brisbane.
Lining up in the Q22 at Eagle Farm, Zambardo was not suited by the leisurely pace, finishing ahead of only two other runners.
Following a break in the warmer Queensland weather, Zambardo resumed with a respectable third-place finish over 1500m at Sandown on September 5. He now heads to Caulfield on Sunday to enhance his Cox Plate prospects in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m).
Price indicated that Zambardo would then compete in the ‘Globe Stakes’ (the Might And Power) at Caulfield on October 10, with the Cox Plate as his ultimate target.
“He was great first-up,” Price commented.
“It was what I expected off his trial after his little winter sojourn wasn’t so successful.
“I’m putting a circle around the 2000 metres at Flemington where he will be very well suited, especially if he gets his toe in the ground.
“He might not be good enough, but I don’t think it will be a huge field, and there are no internationals coming.
“One thing is, he’ll be cherry on the day.”
Past editions of the Feehan Stakes have frequently featured small fields, with Pride Of Jenni proving dominant in the last two renewals.
Pride Of Jenni is slated to race again on Sunday, facing a field of just five rivals, including Mr Brightside and Treasurethe Moment, who have each finished second to the mare in the preceding two races.
Explore the betting markets for the Feehan Stakes at betting sites.
