Lightly raced filly Zydeco is favoured to capture a Group 1 first for champion sire Zabeel in the Victorian Oaks at Flemington on Thursday.

There are no Victorian Oaks trophies among Zabeel 143 stakes winners, however, bookmakers have installed Zydeco a $2.25 favourite for the classic after she scored a comprehensive victory in the G2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.

A homebred for Sheikh Mohammed, Zydeco finished powerfully for a two length victory over long-shot Maraatib (Redoute’s Choice) who is raced by his brother Sheikh Hamdan.

Zydeco (3f Zabeel – All Time High by Flying Spur) had won her maiden at Bendigo in September before finishing third to Commanding Jewel and Dear Demi in last month’s G1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.  “She is a lovely filly and has so much natural stamina,” trainer Anthony Freedman said.  “She has come on very well and just keeps improving.”

Zydeco’s dam All Time High won the 2000 G1 One Thousand Guineas before finishing midfield behind fellow Flying Spur filly Ponton Flyer in the VRC Oaks.

All Time High is a half-sister to 7 winners including Sydney G1 star All Our Mob.  Her record at stud has been disappointing to date but Zydeco is doing a good job making up for her four previous named foals who are all winless.

All Time High was empty for two years following Zydeco until she foaled a Lonhro colt in September.

– Karl Patterson