Jockey Stephen Baster believes that Zebulon will need some luck to score an upset win in the 2014 Caulfield Guineas tomorrow.
Zebulon has the chance to record a maiden win at Group 1 level in the Caulfield Guineas this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Zebulon was touted as a genuine Caulfield Guineas contender when he took out the Murray Cox Handicap (1410m) at Flemington on June 28, finished a luckless third in the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m) at the same venue on July 12 and worked home strongly in the Listed Living Legends Stakes (1400m) on September, but his Caulfield Guineas odds lengthened after he finished at the tail of the field in the Group 1 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 26.
Baster told RSN yesterday that nothing went to plan for Zebulon in the Stutt Stakes, but he believes the All American colt has come through the run well and he is excited to partner the three-year-old in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) this weekend.
“We drew well, we thought there would be nice speed and I thought that I would have a nice track up behind Moonovermanhattan,” Baster said.
“Froggy Newitt decided to take the sit and then they walked, so we were in a really bad spot and the race didn’t work out at all.
“I had a good bumping duel with Zululand in the middle stages and it just didn’t work out, but he worked really well on Tuesday morning at Caulfield.
“I am excited to be on him and I just hope that we get a bit of luck for a change.”
Zebulon was allocated barrier one when the 2014 Caulfield Guineas field was released on Tuesday morning and Baster admits that the barrier draw was not ideal for a horse that can be slow out of the gates and is generally settled towards the tail of the field.
Baster is confident that the race will be run at a genuine tempo, which will suit Zebulon and he is desperately hoping that a gaps comes at the right time for the talented colt.
“It is a tough race obviously,” Baster said.
“One wasn’t the barrier that we wanted, but I guess it is better than 14.
“We will need a little bit of luck, but there looks to be nice speed on paper and hopefully everything works out because we haven’t had the best of luck at his past couple of runs.”
Zebulon is currently available at Caulfield Guineas odds of $19, while Rich Enuff ($2.30) remains a clear favourite from Shooting To Win ($6.50), Looks Like The Cat ($7) and Almalad ($8).
