After disappointing at Ballarat at her career debut on June 1, Shadwell Stud’sZunbaqa has been unstoppable in three races since, bringing up her hat-trick with a career best in Saturday’s Holdfast Insurance Handicap (1400m) at Morphettville.
The heavily backed favourite took control of the race in the early stages under Matthew Neilson.
Visiting apprentice Kei Chiong on second favourite Never Be Discreet put the pressure on before the home turn, however Neilson still had a lapful of horse and Zunbaqa was untroubled in the run to the line, defeating Never Be Discreet (Exceed And Excel) by four lengths with Ace Attack (Rebel Raider) a further two lengths back in third.
Trained by David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Zunbaqa was a $300,000 purchase by Shadwell Australia out of the Broadwater Thoroughbreds draft at the 2015 Inglis Easter Yearling sale.
Bred by GSA Bloodstock, the More Than Ready (USA) filly is the second foal of the stakes-placed Encosta de Lago mare Boogaloo a half-sister to dual Group III winner and Group 1 Galaxy Stakes runner-up Taikun (Anabaa) and the Listed winner Super Groove (Dehere).
More Than Ready’s 2-year-olds are again firing this season with 14 individual 2-year-old winners, which equals his son Sebring and I Am Invincible and only bettered by the runaway leader Snitzel.
The headliner for More Than Ready (USA) this season is Gooree Park Stud’s Group 1 Champagne Stakes hero Prized Icon.
