Jockey Greg Childs (blue silks) has dual Group 1 winner Zarita under a tight hold down the straight. By Glen Atwell
CRANBOURNE mare Zarita will attempt to win three of Australia’s biggest Group 1 races this spring.
The Pat Hyland trained stayer has added the Cox Plate alongside the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups on her to-do list during the Spring Racing Carnival.
On Sunday, Zarita galloped at the Cranbourne track between races one and two, and despite the racing season still a month away, Hyland said preparations were progressing perfectly.
“I was very happy with her run today,” Hyland said after the show gallop. Everything is going well. Greg (Childs) said she felt great.”
Zarita is a dual Group 1 winner and has won seven of her 12 starts.
She won four of six starts at Group level in autumn this year, including the Group 1 Australasian Oaks and the South Australian Derby.
The star filly also saluted in consecutive Group 2 victories in the Angus Armanasco Stakes and Kewney Stakes.
Champion Group 1 jockey Greg Childs will continue his close association with the mare after piloting her to victory during the autumn campaign.
Hyland said it was exciting to have a black-type filly preparing for two of the biggest races in the country.
“It’s not only exciting for me, but for all the race fans in Cranbourne,” Hyland said.
“Zarita is a top quality mare and is capable of going all the way. She appears to have taken the next step.”
Zarita is a certain starter in the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup, and is likely to secure a spot in the field of the Cox Plate.
Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive officer Neil Bainbridge said Zarita is all class.
“She is the type of horse Moonee Valley Racing Club would want starting in Australia’s greatest race. Zarita is a proven performer,” he said.
