Cranbourne trainer Pat Hyland has his star filly Zarita back in work. Stable forewoman Erin Barker and Hyland are preparing to tackle the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup this spring.
By Glen Atwell
CRANBOURNE trainer Pat Hyland has his sights set on winning two of Australia’s great horse races this spring, as his superstar filly Zarita resumes work after a six-week spell.
Zarita has returned to light duties in the swimming pool as Hyland embarks on a long preparation that will ultimately target the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.
“She’ll be in all the big races this spring. It’s going to be an exciting campaign,” he said.
“The Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup are our targets.”
Zarita won four of her six starts at Group level in autumn this year, including the Group One Australasian Oaks and the South Australian Derby.
She also saluted in consecutive Group Two victories in the Angus Armanasco Stakes and Kewney Stakes.
Her finals start was in the AJC Australian Oaks on April 30, when she trailed off to finish eighth behind Heavenly Glow at Randwick.
“I’m expecting her to be much better when she’s back on the track,” Hyland said.
“She raced against three-year-old fillies and colts in her last campaign. This time around it will be against open company, so she’ll need to step up.”
Hyland said Zarita returned from her six-week holiday much bigger and more mature.
“She’s come back bigger across the shoulders and rump,” he said.
“She seems to have discovered some maturity too, that’s a good thing before racing in open company.”
Hyland said Zarita’s spacious Cranbourne home was the ideal environment to prepare for the Spring Racing Carnival.
“She has a lot more room here than she would at Flemington or Caulfield,” he said.
“She spends all day in the paddock and only comes into the boxes at night.”
