Grangewilliam Stud resident Zed sired his first Group 1 winner when Survived (NZ) claimed the Makfi Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday.

Survived (4g Zed – Liberal by Generous) won the G3 Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup against the older horses in April but had no luck in a subsequent Australian winter campaign.  “He’s a naturally fit horse and was only out for four or five weeks since the Queensland Derby,” trainer John Bary said.  “I’ve been lucky to train a couple of Group 1 winners and he’s right up there.”

Bary had to go against the gelding’s owner Don Gordon to start him at Hastings.  “Don rang and wanted to scratch but I wouldn’t let him,” Bary said.  “And I got it right this time.  His last two gallops were Group 1 work.”

Bary told Opie (Bosson) the horse had improved a ton since trialling at a recent Taupo meeting.  “I got a beautiful run and probably got to the front a bit too soon as he was gawking around,” Bosson said.  “He flew the gates and I managed to get him to settle and he cruised into it from the half-mile.

“He was still dipping and diving up the straight and the better the ground the better he will be.  He will improve stacks with that run as well.”

That sounded an ominous warning to rival trainers with Survived set to contest the next two legs of the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown in the Windsor Park Plate and Spring Classic.

Zed (Zabeel) stands at Grangewilliam Stud where his 2013 fee is advertised at $4,000 (plus gst).  He is the sire of 20 winners from 46 runners to date and now has four crops of racing age.