News

Zululand heads to ATC Sires' Produce

8th Mar 2014

Racing Network - Adrian Dunn - Saturday, 8 March 2014

David Hayes has set today’s VRC Sires Produce Stakes winner Zululand on a ATC Sires and Champagne Stakes path.

Hayes said he believes Zululand is a “much better Sires than a (Golden) Slipper horse”.

“I think when he matures he might be a 1200 metre horse, but he is really a seven furlong (sic 1400 m) and miler (sic 1600 m),” Hayes said.

“And, for that reason we’ll be taking a Sires and Champagne (Stakes) path with him. It was going to be Baillieu/Fernhilll, but now it is going to be Sires and Champagne.”

Sportsbet.com.au wound in Zululand from $101 to $26 for the $1 million ATC Sires Stakes (1400 m) on April 12.

Hayes said he’s uncertain if or what race Zululand will race in before the ATC Sires.

Zululand, a $1.5 million colt, was solid in the market at $9 and although Stephen Baster noted he over raced, he was still strong to the post.

Baster said Zululand “pulled really hard early” and he thought he was destined to finish a “nice mid field” finish.

“But to his credit, he kept on going strongly to the line,” Baster said.

“I think he will improve again, he’s just got to get better manners.”

Zululand finished too strongly for Awesome Rock, backed from as much as $7 to $3.30 favorite, with a short head to Marcado, $4.80, third.

Hayes said Zululand, a son of Fastnet Rock, which cost $1.5 million, has enormous upside as both a racehorse and then a stallion

“I’d say now he’s worth more than he cost. Often you would say you would prefer the money than the colt, but this time I’d be going for the horse,” Hayes said

“You like them to win like that, especially get to the line over the final 100 metres.”