Lightly raced Zoophoria broke through to score her maiden victory at Kilmore on Monday, leading all the way over the 1450m distance.
Placed second on three occasions in her seven start career before Monday, Zoophoria has always shown signs that she will be wining races. A seven length jump out win at Flemington was also cause for excitement about her career. But immaturity resulted in her racing too keenly in many of her races, and a lack of condition and strength to handle long campaigns.
Arguably, we could have just let her run on a couple of occasions over short trips and she may have scored a win by now. But doing so would have entrenched her pattern of over racing and not breathing in the run, and limiting her future prospects. – Nigel
Now a four-year-old, Zoophoria returned with more condition on her body, a stronger shoulder and hindquarter, and a more mature mind. In her first up run this preparation, she was posted wide and had a difficult run. She still raced greenly but her performance was fair, finishing sixth.
With the aid of fitness and a run under her belt this campaign, Nigel stepped her up to the 1450m at Kilmore. With a more steady tempo early in the race, rider Joe Bowditch found the lead with comfort, and successfully settled Zoophoria into a nice rhythm. From there, she was never headed.
Zoophoria is still learning and immature in many ways. She carriers her head high, races greenly and could settle, relax and breathe a little better in the races. We expect to see further improvement this campaign.
Congratulations to Arrowfield Stud and their long-time client John Leaver (Planette Thoroughbred Trading Pty Ltd) for breeding and racing this daughter of Animal Kingdom. She is out of their Redoute’s Choice mare Mirovaya, a daughter of Group 1 Oakleigh Plate winner Miss Kournikovaand half-sister to Group 3 winners Oakleigh Girl.