Extra Zero has been included in the 2015 Cox Stakes field and co-trainer David Hayes is hopeful that the consistent galloper can produce an improved performance in the Group 2 event at Ascot on Saturday.
Extra Zero was only narrowly denied by stablemate Spillway in the 2015 edition of the Australian Cup. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Extra Zero earnt himself a trip to Western Australia for the 2015 Perth Summer Racing Carnival after he finished a more than credible seventh behind Gailo Chop in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 31, but he was a big drifter in the lead-up to the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot on December 5 after drawing a wide gate.
The Danzero gelding worked home fairly in the final stages of the race, but he still finished ninth lengths behind the likes of Perfect Reflection and Delicacy – who fought out a thrilling finish.
Hayes said that Extra Zero was not suited by the wet conditions in the Kingston Town Classic, but he is hopeful that a dry track and a step-up in distance will help the veteran gelding perform at his best in the Group 2 Cox Stakes (2100m) this weekend.
“He got the wrong conditions,” Hayes said.
“It was incredible to get a wet track in Perth in December.
“I think he can improve and 2100 is probably his ideal trip.”
Extra Zero has shown plenty of ability since he took out the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1410m) in just his second race start way back in 2009 and he was only narrowly beaten in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) before he just missed the placings in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
He scored his maiden win at Group level when he took out the 2010 Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) and he was unable to return to those heights as an older horse, but he has been a consistent prizemoney accumulator for connections in recent years.
Extra Zero earnt a return to the highest level of racing when he finished second behind Index Linked in the Listed Mornington Cup Prelude (2000m) at Caulfield on February 28 and he was only denied the biggest win of his racing career to date by stablemate Spillway in a thrilling edition of the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 14.
Extra Zero is currently available at 2015 Cox Stakes odds of $15, while two-time Group 1 winner Delicacy ($1.60) is a dominant favourite from Real Love ($4.60), Black Heart Bart ($11) and Balmont Girl ($13).
