Two winners in Two Days!

It was a deserved victory for Zazparella (pictured) at Mornington’s metropolitan graded meeting on Wednesday, the four-year-old having been so very unlucky at her two previous outings.

Badly held up for runs when travelling well at Caulfield in late April, the daughter of Al Maher was then an eye-catching third at Sandown having made it difficult for herself by missing the start and being inclined to over-race.

But all when to plan this time and, under the guidance of champion jockey Damien Oliver, Zazparella was able to record the third victory of her 22 start career.

Appreciating a step up to 2000m, Zazparella travelled well for Oliver and the pair hooked out to begin their run from the 600m.

Straightening with three lengths to make up, Zazparella found the line in determined style, putting her nose out on the line.

“She did a good job,” Oliver reported, noting that “she got a bit fired up with the blinkers on last start but settled beautifully today.”

“She was left a bit flat-footed when they sprinted but she wore the leader down.”

“Now that the shades are off,” he added, “she can go on and get over even a bit further.”

“It was good to see her stick her head out on the line,” Matt Hoysted said, “as she had been pretty stiff at her two previous runs.”

“She handles the wet which is good for this time of year and she can go on and pick up a few more city races over the winter.”

Now a dual metropolitan winner, Zazparella was a $30,000 purchase for Paul Moroney at the 2011 William Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Congratulations to her happy owners Karen Glindemann, Neale & Gaylene Donnelley, Steve Moran, Gregory Griffiths, Lyn M McCain, the Runs Wins Syndicate (manager Simon Fitzpatrick), the S & H Carter Syndicate (manager Stephen Carter), Stuart & Julie Quinn and Kariba Racing Pty Ltd.

The winning form continued at Sale on Thursday with Nordic Duke recording a determined victory in a Showcase event over 1717m.

Hard fit at his third run back from a lengthy break, the Viking Ruler gelding has had his share of problems including a lung infection and it was good to see him back to his best for Damien Oliver.

Initially settling in third position chasing a hot pace, Nordic Duke was back to fifth as the field began to bunch approaching the turn. But he was soon into the clear into the straight and it was a three horse war from the 100m, a two horse battle from the 50m and then – it was just him!

Drawing clear late to win by half a length with plenty in hand, Nordic Duke recorded the fourth victory of his 18 start career.

Raced by Gurners Bloodstock Co, Noel & Judith Griffin, Neville Scurrell, Peter Walker, Peter Reynolds, CWL Racing (Mgr: G Watson), M D Chapman, B L Anderson, the GPJA Syndicate and Ballymore Stables (Aust) Pty Ltd, Nordic Duke was a $77,500 Karaka purchase for Paul Moroney. He boasts an intriguing pedigree, he hails from the same family as his sire – Viking Ruler and his dam both descendants of the legendary Eight Carat.

We are looking for the winning form to continue over a busy weekend, the highlight of which is the Group One Queensland Oaks in which we will be cheering on the promising filly Asadauskaite.

Putting in a good Oaks trial when a fast-finishing third in the Gold Bracelet at the Gold Coast two starts back, the daughter of Pentire was however disappointing behind Arabian Gold in The Roses two weeks ago.

“She needs to put in a bit of a form reversal,” Moroney admitted, “but she did have a few excuses last time and we have been happy with her.”

Whilst she is our only Eagle Farm runner, we do have three heading to the Sandown meeting including Picture Editor and Lordoftheparrots who are both contesting the TVN Handicap.

Dropping in class after running in a strong Warrnambool Cup, Picture Editor has progressed nicely since and we are expecting a bold showing with Damien Oliver aboard.

Lordoftheparrots meanwhile has been showing jumping promise and is back to the flat after a Warrnambool fourth and a Sandown third in hurdling events.

“He is hard fit and not the roughest,” Moroney said.

We are hoping for some rain for Shenzhou Steeds who races in the Le Pines Handicap, kept a little fresh since taking his place in the Albury Cup in late March.

“Rain is the key to him,” said Moroney, “hopefully we have him up at the right time of year – he is going well.”

We have another busy day at Ballarat on Sunday and we are looking forward to seeing Space step up to the 3000m of the Porter Plant Handicap.

He has been racing in good form of late and being out of a Zabeel mare the trip should not pose any problems.

“We can’t fault him,” Moroney enthused, “and he should prove very hard to beat.”

Awesome Goal and Miz Sinatra are both entered for the Sportsbet Handicap with the former having his first run since last winter.

A horse who races well fresh, he loves the sting out – “the wetter the better for him,” Moroney said.

Miz Sinatra meanwhile was an encouraging first up fifth at Sandown and her second up form is good.

“She ran really nice and has improved since then,” said Moroney.

Black Tomahawk is our other Ballarat runner, lining up in the Guy Walter Tribute Handicap.

He strips fitter for two runs back from a spell and Moroney notes that “he is going really well.”

“He has just over-raced a bit this time in but he is a nice stayer in the making.”