Annabel Neasham already has the equal favourite in the early market for the $5 million All-Star Mile in Zaaki, but the rising star of the training ranks has given another push for two other horses likely to feature in the Melbourne autumn.
The Sydney-based horsewoman hopes a recently acquired import can also secure a start in the world’s richest mile race after debuting in Australia at Newcastle in November last year.
“I’ve got a horse called Top Ranked,” Neasham said. “I’d certainly like to think that we could bring him down for a race like that.
“He’s only had one start here, he came over in the autumn, he was a very good miler in Europe.
“He wouldn’t be as well known by the public here so he might need to win a race to get in.”
Zaaki is the equal $4.60 favourite in Sportsbet’s early market and Neasham says her superstar gelding is in prime condition ahead of an autumn return.
“He’s in super order, it was nice to come back and see him,” Neasham said.
“He had his first piece of work on the course proper this morning and he was full of enthusiasm.
“We’ll aim to go second-up into The All-Star Mile, I just haven’t figured out where.”
Neasham is also targeting another Melbourne autumn feature, the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap down the straight at Flemington.
“We’ve got a lovely horse called Laws Of Indices, who ran fifth in The Golden Eagle,” Neasham said.
“That’s his only start that he’s had here, but he’s a Group 1 winner in France, and he’s possibly the sort of horse, depending how he comes up, that would suit the Newmarket fresh.”
Neasham has also bolstered her team following a busy week at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sales.
“You half feel like you’re on holiday, but you work really hard as well,” Neasham said with a laugh.
“I’ve fully recovered now anyway! We’ve signed for 24 yearlings. I think we’ve bought a really nice mixture, not just horses that will come back for the 2YO Classic.”
Neasham also took a trophy home to Sydney after Wisdom Of Water saluted in the final event and with a bit of luck could’ve had two, after Holyfield was beaten in a photo finish by the barest of margins.
“It was good to get the win on the board after losing the photo finish in the cup with Holyfield, we were feeling a bit low but that really lifted us,” Neasham said.
“For whatever reason, he (Holyfield) went to Melbourne after his good two-year-old year and didn’t race well there, and then we tried to take him back and he didn’t race well.
“I’m afraid he doesn’t like you guys down there!
“He just seems a really happy horse at the moment, it’s taken a little bit of time to get him in the right headspace.”
– racing.com
