Zephyr Queen is a model mare for the Westspeed EPONA Scheme that was launched by RWWA last week

Designed to enhance the local thoroughbred breeding industry in WA, 10% of prizemoney will be accumulated as a line of breeding credit by any filly or mare who wins a WA race.  It can only be redeemed through the payment of Westspeed Platinum stallion services fees.

“It’s a great initiative.  The extra $2,400 will help people like us that can’t afford to put her to stud,” tongue-in-cheek trainer Jim Taylor said after Zephyr Queen’s all-the-way victory in the Furphy Hcp (1300m) at Belmont on Saturday.

“There were a couple of speed horses engaged but she jumped a length in front and Chloe (Azzopardi) rated her well in the lead.  She got away with a little bit in the middle stages and was good enough to hold on even though I could see the others coming.”

Zephyr Queen (4m Universal Ruler – Deboshnokov by Stravinsky) was bred by Gold Front owner Alan Olive and she had won at last year’s corresponding Belmont meeting for a syndicate that includes Taylor’s wife Tina and mother Lois.

Her dam Deboshnoko is a half-sister to G1 Thousand Guineas winner Inaflury (Zabeel).  She also has a yearling filly by Universal Ruler that wasn’t catalogued for this year’s Perth Magic Millions.

Azzopardi was confident of a forward showing prior to the race but was worried in transit.  “She felt strong and grabbed the bit before going into the barriers but was labouring at the 600m mark.  She wobbled a bit, too but got the job done.”

Zephyr Queen is a member of Universal Ruler’s ground-breaking crop conceived at Scenic Lodge in 2014.  Now rising five, their overall strike-rate is 63% headed by stakes winners Lady Cosmology, Market Ruler, The Velvet King, Angelic Ruler, Bam’s On Fire & Uni Time.

Scenic Lodge stands Universal Ruler and Snippetson for $6,600 this year with Dash For Cash available at $2,750.  All fees (inc GST).

ZEPHYR QUEEN