With two wins and two stakes placing in four starts in France for Alain de Royer-Dupre, Zeyrek promised plenty in his adopted homeland, but it took eight starts for the son of Sea The Stars to breakthrough.
Sticking close to the rail (image Steve Hart)
It came in Saturday’s Cellarbrations Randwick City Stakes (2000m) at Randwick. Looking at home on the heavy track, the Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained gelding romped to a two and a half length victory over Luncies (GB) (Iffraaj) with Knights Order (IRE) (So You Think).
It was a first stakes win in Sydney for Williw Pike since relocating from Western Australia.
“I was out on a limb an doing a bit of work, but he was doing it that well within himself,” Pike said.
“I was surprised to be so far forward; he was going like a rocket and took me there.
“I was pinching myself coming into the straight, I was still travelling and no one was pressing the issue. I think he loved it.
Bred by the Aga Khan, Zeyrek was purchased as a northern hemisphere 3yo by Rupert Legh and partners.
The son of Sea The Stars is the only one of five foals out of the unraced Dalakhani mare Zerkaza to reach the track.
A half-sister to three stakes winners including the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Zarak (Dubawi), Zerkaza is a daughter of Zarkava the Horse of the Year in Europe in 2008; Champion 3YO Filly in Europe in 2008; Champion 2YO Filly & 3YO Filly in France in 2007 & 2008.
Zeyrek is stakes-winner 88 for Gilltown Stud’s 6-time Group 1 winner Sea The Stars (Cape Cross).
