Sydney filly California Zimbol bounced off a mid-week Canterbury win to down odds on favourite Loving Gabby in the Group 3 $200,000 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield today.

California Zimbol, above, cruises to win the Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Co-trainer Peter Snowden wasn’t surprised to see California Zimbol beat the $1.85 favourite Loving Gaby and said that the stable always had a high opinion of the I Am Invincible filly.

“This filly we have always had a big opinion of her and probably the making of her was going to Brisbane for a couple of runs during the last carnival,” Snowden said.

“Since she has come back she has been a more mature horse. She has really furnished that big frame she has and has filled out all over.”

“What she did today is what we have been seeing for awhile at home so it is good to see her bring that to the races an show everyone how good she is.”

Winning jockey Luke Nolen let California Zimbol ($4.20) slide to the front from barrier six in the eight horse Thoroughbred Club Stakes field and the filly travelled smoothly on top of the pace.

Damien Lane had Loving Gaby a lot closer in the run than her usual pattern of racing and she was right on the heels of California Zimbol on the home turn.

Nolen still had a nice hold on California Zimbol when Lane threw done the challenge on Loving Gaby at the 300m mark but the Snowden filly had plenty in reserve and went on to record a two and a quarter lengths win.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Loving Gaby battled on for second with Don’ttelltheboss ($10) making up ground to fill third spot.