Shadwell Stud's More Than Ready (USA) filly
In a battle of the big stables, apprentice Dylan Dunn guided the David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained Zunbaqa to an all the way win in Saturday's VRC Member John Gubbins Handicap (1400m) at Flemington.
Despite doing all the work early, Zunbaqa was the last to come off the bit, winning with something in hand by one and half lengths from the Darren Weir-trained Benny Goes Berzerk (Street Boss) with Peter and Paul Snowden's Decorated Soldier (Snitzel) finishing strongly for third. (photo Grant Courtney)
"I just stacked them up let her go through her gears and she really hit the line well," Dunn said.
"She has been beautifully placed by the team. To be able to win a race at Geelong then win another two in Adelaide then come back and still be so strong at Flemington it just goes to show there is a lot in store for this horse."
It was the fourth consecutive win for Zunbaqa who has been unstoppable since failing at Ballarat when making her career debut back on June 1.
She broke her maiden at Geelong three weeks later then crossed the border to her trainers South Australian base to win narrowly at Morphettville on July 9.
The daughter of More Than Ready (USA) was considerably more impressive at the same track two weeks later when romping to a 3-length success over 1400 metres.
"I really feel she will be a good Edward Manifold filly over a mile here in a month or so," David Hayes said.
"She did have that advantage of that really good winter fitness base on her but I think she can go into the spring.
"She got everything wrong at her first start but has gradually kept improving. She fell in at her first start in Adelaide then won dominantly last start and was dominant again today."
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).
Boogaloo missed in 2013 and 2014 before being covered by Not A Single Doubt last spring.
