Scoring a dominant victory at Moonee Valley on Friday night in the Listed MVRC Valley Pearl was Blue Diamond place-getter Zamzam, a $920,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Shadwell Australia from the draft of Newgate Farm.
Prepared by David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Zamzam was a red hot favourite on the strength of her fast finishing and unlucky third to star colts Extreme Choice and Flying Artie in the Blue Diamond and did not disappoint.
Ridden a confident race by Nick Hall, she settled midfield and loomed up wide on the turn to surge home and win the 1200 metre dash by half a neck.
“I don’t think 1200 is her best distance, so it was a very good performance,” he said.
With two wins and a third from four starts and prizemoney of $230,000, Zamzam has done a great job to date, but long term goals are at the forefront of any future plans.
“She did it nicely and hit the line strong, so we couldn’t be happier,” said Tom Dabernig.
“She’s Group I placed so it was important to get a Black Type win.
“She might come to Sydney for one run in the Percy Sykes, but the spring carnival is her main goal.”
Bred by SF Bloodstock and foaled and raised at Newgate, Zamzam is the first winner for Group I placed Dehere (USA) mare Fleur De’here, a sibling to Group I winner Tully Thunder and stakes-winner Sufficient from Group II winner Fleur de Chine.
The 129th stakes-winner for champion sire Redoute’s Choice, Zamzam comes from a family that has achieved global success producing Group I winners Black Mamba, Roman Emperor and Glorious Days.
Fleur De’here produced a filly by Fastnet Rock last spring and was then covered by Snitzel.
