James Cummings is sweating on getting a Queensland Oaks run with Zarzali on Saturday. The filly may be a victim of the classic being run at Doomben over 2200 metres this year as its traditional home of Eagle Farm is being redeveloped. The smaller track means it will be restricted to only 15 runners and Zarzali sits 17th on the order of entry.
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"I didn't think it would be this close," Cummings said. "She is a good staying filly, which we think has a sense of timing about her. She has form around Ballet Suite and the Roses winner [Bohemian Lily] from last start and she is still improving."
Zarzali ran in the Australian Oaks, in which she was seventh behind Gust Of Wind, and it was that effort that encouraged Cummings and his training partner and grandfather Bart to venture north.
Her third in the Princess Stakes behind Ballet Suite and Bohemian Lily fulfilled the first part of the reason for the trip, but Hugh Bowman, who was in the saddle that day, made Cummings even keener on the classic.
"Hugh got off her and said it was the perfect run for the Oaks after she made a lot of ground late and was strong to the line," Cummings said. "Unfortunately, he has been booked for Winx, which will be the favourite, but we have been able to get Tommy Berry to ride her.
"She has got some black type already from the trip, which is important for fillies, and I think she is ready to run a great race. We just need to get in. I'm sure she will run the trip as she is already a 2400m winner."
Zarzali is on the fifth line of betting at TAB.com.au for the Oaks, a race dominated by Sydney trained fillies. Winx, the Australian Oaks runner-up, is a $2.50 favourite after her astonishing Sunshine Coast Guineas win when she powered home from last. Her stablemate from Chris Waller's yard, Ballet Suite, was scratched on Saturday from the Roses to be saved for the Oaks and is $7 chance along with Sebrina.
Gai Waterhouse has Bohemian Lilly, which is the $5 second elect for the Oaks after a tough front-running win in the Roses at Doomben on Saturday.
"Bohemian Lily just confirmed the form on Saturday of Ballet Suite, while Sebrina is the new horse on the scene," TAB's Glenn Munsie said. "However, what Winx did at the Sunshine Coast and the way she did it makes her the clear top pick. That was the win of a special filly."
Meanwhile, Cummings is preparing his Randwick winning double from Saturday for trips north.
"High Midnight will run in the Derby [on June 5] after a couple of tough wins, while Tree Of Jesse is still in the Stradbroke and could run in the Dane Ripper," he said. "We are still looking at Tiara in a couple of weeks for her."