Zacada Wins G3 Rotorua Cup

Media Release - Saturday May 11

Rugged stayer Zacada turned some below par form around when he out-toughed his rivals carrying 60kgs to take out the Group III Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m).

Zacada - Trish DunnellHaving his first run since returning from a disappointing Sydney campaign that saw him finish well back in each of his three starts, the 2018 Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) runner-up was back to his best for Saturday's middle-distance feature at Rotorua.

Rider Jonathan Riddell had the Zabeel six-year-old trucking along nicely in midfield throughout before moving into a challenging position approaching the home turn. Pacemaker Gobstopper had skipped clear at this stage with Zacada's stablemate Artiste in hot pursuit.

Just as that pair looked likely to fight out the finish, Riddell drove Zacada through against the rail to snatch the lead in the shadows of the post with a game Gobstopper left to settle for the runner-up position ahead of Artiste.

Co-trainer Andrew Forsman, who prepares Zacada with Murray Baker, was confident of a much-improved performance after some encouraging trackwork during the week.

"Whatever went on in Australia, I don't know whether the Cup company was just too stiff, or he didn't cop some of those holding tracks he ran into," Forsman said.

"He's got through it today and looked the winner a long way out.

"He was the class horse of the field on his day and I don't think the weight was going to be an issue, it was just where his head was at and if he was on his game, then he was going to be hard to beat.

"His two gallops this week have been first-class, and we were confident in that just knowing that he had to bring his A-game to the races."

Forsman was also delighted with the run of Artiste who gathered some valuable black type before heading for a possible stint in the spelling paddock.

"She's doing a great job this preparation," he said.

"To get some black type, that's a massive result."

Bred and raced by dairy farmers Andrew Bryant and Dave Armstrong under their Andari Ltd banner, along with Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan, Zacada has now won five of his 43 career starts for a tick over $714,000 in stakes earnings.

The win by Zacada also carried the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman partnership to 100 wins in New Zealand for the 2018/19 racing season including a record 23 victories at black type level. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Five More Million Dollar Yearlings Star on Magic Millions Day Two
In Secret's full sister topped a successful second day of the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when selling for $2.3 million this afternoon.
$1million for Blueblood Snitzel Colt
Arrowfield Stud produced their first million dollar offering at the Magic Millions on Wednesday when a stylish Snitzel colt from Dream Date was knocked down for $1million to China Horse Club/Newgate Bloodstock & Partners.
Ocean Emperor goes back-to-back in Tauranga Stakes
To quote famous baseballer Yogi Berra, it was “déjà vu’ all over again” at Tauranga on Saturday when classy customer Ocean Emperor defended his Gr2 Gartshore Tauranga Stakes (1600m) crown in fine style.
$1.15m for Wodeton Half-Brother by I Am Invincible
Segenhoe Stud produced their second million dollar yearling at Magic Millions on Wednesday when the half-brother by I Am Invincible to unraced boom colt Wodeton sold for $1.15million.
Zabeel Mare Chasing Further Group One Success
A start in one of the showpiece races of Sydney's The Championships awaits Lizzie L'Amour if she races up to expectations in Saturday's Group I  Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday January 8
Here is the full list of 47 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$750,000 Farnan Colt Delights Lime Country Thoroughbreds
Kia Ora Stud’s Farnan has made a great impression with his first runners including $1million Golden Gift winner North England and the Golden Slipper winning sire produced an outstanding result for Lime Country Thoroughbreds at Magic Millions on Wednesday when they sold one of his colts for $750,000.
Hot Lots Day Three Magic Millions - Snitzel Set To Star
I Am Invincible and Snitzel are duking it out at the top of the sires stats and while I Am Invincible had the best of it on Day Two, Snitzel looks set to launch an admirable response on Day Three so here's the lots to watch.
Newgate Sell $1.7Million Snitzel Colt
Coolmore have become fast fans of Snitzel thanks to his Group I winning sons Shinzo (Golden Slipper) and Switzerland (Coolmore Stud Stakes) with Tom Magnier swooping on another outstanding colt by the champion sire at Magic Millions on Wednesday.
In Secret Full Sister Sells for $2.3million
Segenhoe sold a lovely filly by I Am Invincible from Eloping at the 2021 Magic Millions Yearling Sale for $900,000 to Godolphin and she went on to be dual Group I winning $5million earner In Secret, so when her sister walked into the sale ring at the Gold Coast on Wednesday fiscal fireworks were always expected.