Thoughts on Zephyrina

Zephyrina runs in 7.45 at Salisbury this evening. Kieran Shoemark who rode her to victory last time out rides her in the ten furlong novice race. The filly steps up in trip three furlongs having just got up for victory in the shadow of the winning post last time out. She got away with the drop back to seven furlongs that day rather than it being her optimum trip. She was a good staying on second on debut over a mile the time before. On pedigree she should stay the distance. Her mother has bred a couple of useful horses who stayed well including the Group One placed Djumama who was very effective over a mile and a half. Zephyrina’s sire, Big Bad Bob, is generally an influence for stamina as well.

The race looks a good contest, the experienced maiden Ritchie Valens has run well in some decent handicaps this season and it’s surely a matter of time before he sheds that tag. However, it is Global Hunter who looks the big danger. Very green on debut over a mile he finished strongly and was awarded the race in the stewards room after his errant but talented rival cut him off close to the line. The time was solid and the extra couple of furlongs should suit the colt who still holds an entry in the St. Leger.

Zephyrina will be led up by yard manager Lauren Webb who is her regular rider at home and assisted by Travelling Manager Shaun Johnson this evening. She runs for Patrick Whitten and his family who bought the filly as a yearling after she was purchased by Daniel and Claire at the Tattersalls Ireland yearling sale. Their long term ambition would be to develop her as a broodmare and she now has the all important win under her belt and is an interesting outcross for most stallions with her pedigree.