Emerging stayer Zephyron burst into Brisbane Cup calculations following a brilliant victory in the Premier’s Cup at Doomben on Saturday.
Zephyron, ridden by Glen Boss, made his opposition look second rate with a three-quarter length win over veteran stayer Precedence.
Pretty Pins was a further one length back third.
Zephyron, a son of champion staying sire Zabeel, earned his trip north for a Brisbane Cup campaign following his equally impressive win in the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup at Rosehill on May 24.
The five-year-old was stepping up to 2200 metres for the first time and has now won five of his 15 starts for Team Hawkes.
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes said the stable was always confident with Zephyron and rate him an ideal Brisbane Cup contender.
“It was all about getting him relaxed to run the 2200 metres,” said Hawkes.
“He was an acceptor for the McKell Cup in Sydney (Saturday) but we made the right decision to come here.
“He’ll go back home (Sunday) and will come back for the Brisbane Cup provided the weather and the tracks are good.
“Otherwise he’ll go straight out for a spell.”
The Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) will be run at Eagle Farm on June 7.
Winning jockey Glen Boss predicted better things ahead for Zephyron.
“This is an exciting staying prospect,” Boss said.
“He gave me a lovely ride but I had to push the button too early.
“But it was electrical when I pushed it.”
Boss said Zephyron would have no trouble handling 2400 metrres in the Brisbane Cup.
“He’s a typical Hawkes stayer,” Boss said.
“I couldn’t pull him up and he just wanted to keep going.
“Michael drummed it into me not to go too early on him but I was going to be held up for a run if I didn’t go when I did.
“I could feel Michael’s hands around my neck but in the end he did it comfortably.”
Hawkes said Zephyron was still learning and was only just starting to put it together.
“He’s getting better as he gets older like all of the Zabeel’s so hopefully it’s onwards and upwards with him.”
– Racing Queensland
