Randwick trainer John O’Shea is confident Zabrasive (NZ) can measure up to a red hot field in Saturday’s G1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
O’Shea reports the exciting son of Zabeel is primed and ready for his G1 assignment against Randwick Guineas winner Shoot Out (High Chaparral) and Australian Guineas winner Rock Classic (Fastnet Rock).
“He is in great order, his work has been first class, and he is a horse that just continues to improve” O’Shea reported. “We’ve had him identified as a genuine Derby contender a long time ago and he is certainly living up to our expectations. The way he flew home in the Randwick Guineas showed us that he is ready for the 2000 metres this Saturday.”
Zabrasive was having just his fifth raceday appearance and his second start this campaign when making his G1 debut with a fourth placing in the Randwick Guineas on March 13.
“We were unlucky in the Randwick Guineas to draw a wide gate, which meant we had to go back and he only got a real go at them late,” explained O’Shea. “It was a huge step up in grade for a young horse but he gave us every confidence to head forward to the longer trips.”
A graduate of Haunui Farm’s 2008 Karaka Premier draft, Zabrasive was sold to Storm Thoroughbreds for $95,000. “We picked him up pretty cheaply considering his bloodlines,” said O’Shea. “He was a big gangly looking Zabeel and he didn’t have a great walk but we thought with time he would furnish into a nice horse – and he has.”
Zabeel will increase his Group 1 winner tally to 40 if Zabrasive is successful at Rosehill. The Cambridge Stud champion took his total to 39 when Zavite won the Auckland Cup earlier this month.
Zabrasive is from Danasia who was a Listed winner of the 2001 AJC Angst Quality and was also G1 placed in that year’s New Zealand Oaks behind Tapildo and Singalong.
Danasia is a half-sister to the dam of G1 AJC Flight Stakes winner Cheeky Choice (Redoute’s Choice). Second dam Lady Of Persia (Persian Bold) was a Listed winner at Saint-Cloud.
Danasia has now foaled four winners – Castelli (Galileo), Anzali (Zabeel), Good Combination (Zabeel) and Zabrasive. She has a 2yo filly by One Cool Cat, a yearling colt by O’Reilly and a colt on the ground by Iffraaj.