Zabeel colt Faron flew under the radar to win his maiden for Team Williams at Geelong on Friday.  Racing first-up after a six month spell, he paid $26 after an impressive first-up victory in the BC3 Thoroughbreds Plate (1412m).

Faron (3c Zabeel – Stella’s Pantry by Danewin) settled in the back-half of the field before Steven King set him alight approaching the home turn.  Travelling like he had just joined in, Faron trounced the others to win by more than two lengths.

Trainer Graeme Rogerson bought the Geelong winner for $250,000 at the 2010 NZB Karaka yearling sale.  His dam Stella’s Pantry won on debut at Cranbourne and she is a half-sister to G1 stars Easy Rocking (VRC Salinger Stakes) and Fairy King Prawn (HK Horse of the Year).

Lloyd Williams and his son Nick love Zabeel and his sons Reset and Savabeel.  Reset carried their silks to G1 triumphs in the 2004 Australian Guineas and Futurity Stakes.  They hit the jackpot a couple of years later when Zabeel gelding Efficient completed the VRC Victoria Derby – Melbourne Cup double

They started the year with debut winners Powlett (Savabeel), Caton (Reset) and Newell (Zebeel) in January.  Newell bolted in at Ballarat and King, who is based near the Team Williams nerve centre at Mt Macedon, will be keen to stay on board.

“Lloyd asked me to be involved and it’s been a good opportunity,” King said.  “He has got quality horses and even the second stringers are real good.”