Zou Sensation has been in work for close to 12 months, yet trainer Troy Corstens remains comfortable pressing on with the durable gelding ahead of another stakes test.
The six-year-old has thrived on a preparation that has blended city racing with country-based recovery and that consistency could again come to the fore in Wednesday’s Listed Kensington Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
Zou Sensation has raced at least once every month since May and across 10 starts during that period, he claimed the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) in August.
Corstens has been particularly encouraged by the gelding’s most recent effort when fourth in the $1 million Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham, a race won by Warnie.
“It was a really good race, The Supernova, and if you said it was a group one race you’d nearly agree with that,” Corstens said.
“Ben Allen is not back (from leave) so Jamie Melham will ride.”
Zou Sensation’s current campaign effectively began late in 2024 as part of a build-up towards the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) last January.
The Corstens family farm near Geelong has played a key role in maintaining the son of Zoustar throughout the lengthy preparation.
“The thing with him is that now that we’ve got the farm, he goes up there for four or five days after each race where he works in the morning and goes out in the paddock for the day,” Corstens added.
“If I wasn’t happy with him after the four or five days I’d give him a break, but he came back bouncing.
“It is just something that really suits him and he’s been up for a year now but he has been looking for an excuse to tip him out.”
The trainer believes the system has extended the careers of many horses in the stable.
“The majority of horses enjoy it – even the revy fillies. I wish I had done this ten years ago.
“I reckon we get another three or four extra runs out of them which allows our owners to get more bang for their buck.”
Zou Sensation is a $5 second elect for the Kensington Stakes behind Persian Spirit at $1.95.
“If he shows me he needs a spell then we will but if he keeps going well then we don’t need to send him out just because we think we should,” Corstens said.
Early odds for the Kensington Stakes are available via the Australian betting sites list.