Zabene, winner of the Dunedin Cup on Saturday, is at $31 in
fixed-dividend betting for the $1 million Auckland Cup on
March 10.
Zabene followed up his win in the Dunedin Cup Trial at
Riccarton with a stout staying performance over 2400m on
Saturday in the hands of 18-year-old Pukekohe apprentice
Jason Collett.
Zabene shared the lead at the 800m after being forced
three-wide and stayed on to win by a neck from the
strong-finishing Biman with a length to Turn The Page, who
came home well.
Sea Swift won the 1988 Auckland Cup after success in the
Dunedin Cup the previous year.
Zabene was at $41 for the Auckland Cup before his win on
Saturday.
My Scotsgrey and Passchendaele share favouritism for the
Auckland Cup at $5.
Champagne Ransom, upset winner of the Dunedin Guineas on
Saturday, is described as a "funny horse" by his Riccarton
trainer Shane Kennedy.
"He is a funny horse.
He has got to work hard in a race and be ridden hard,"
Kennedy said.
Jason Laking, who rode Champagne Ransom, agreed.
"He was a hard ride and I thought I had been beaten in the
last stride."
Champagne Ransom, who raced handy, held on by a nose from Our
Bee Jay, who finished strongly from four back on the inner.
The Beekeeper ran on late for third, a neck back.
She was slow away and held up in the run home.
The favourite, Chaparella, ran on from second last for fifth.
Champagne Ransom is co-owned by Kennedy with Greg Tomlinson
and Louis Vieceli, of Christchurch.
The Red Ransom gelding was $60,000 purchase at the Melbourne
premier yearling sale.
Jamie Bullard was suspended until midnight on March 4 on two
separate charges of careless riding at Wingatui on Saturday.
Lance Robinson and Robert Hannam were also suspended for
careless riding.
Bullard was suspended until February 20 after he admitted
allowing Al Maaha to shift out near the 150m in the Dunedin
Guineas, hampering Chaparella and The Beekeeper.
His suspension was extended after he admitted allowing Hold
It Harvey to shift out at the 350m in the White Robe Lodge
Handicap, causing checks to Coup Bloomsbury and
Aussieaussieaussie.
Bullard was also fined $750 on the second charge.
Robinson was suspended until midnight on February 19 after he
admitted allowing Ace Of Diamonds to shift out at the 300m,
causing a check to Bring It On in race 3.
Hannam was suspended from next Monday until the following
Saturday inclusive.
He admitted allowing Shuttleworth to shift in at the 1000m in
the Dunedin Guineas, checking The Beekeeper.
