Zedeedudadeeko
Race Images Palmerston North
Promising jumper Zedeedudadeeko atoned for a narrow defeat at his hurdle debut last month when he trounced his opposition with a convincing display at Trentham on Saturday.
The accomplished flat performer had been strongly tipped to make a winning debut over fences at Awapuni in June but went under by a bare nose to the Kevin Myers trained Zed Case on that occasion. A disappointing run on the flat at the same venue seven days ago had some pundits questioning his credentials on the weekend however trainer James Phillips was having none of that before Saturday's contest.
"I was very confident he would win when he made his hurdle debut as I know just how good a jumper he is but he didn't get all favours that day," he noted.
"We did expect him to go okay last time at Awapuni but he didn't cop the track that day and couldn't pick his feet up in it. There were quite a few well fancied runners that went poorly so when he pulled up like he hadn't had a race I just put a line through it.
"Going back to Trentham suited him as he loves it there and I thought he would be very hard to beat if he did things right."
Phillips' faith was vindicated with Zedeedudadeeko producing a polished display in the hands of Charlie Studd as he outfinished race favourite Kipkeino in the closing stages of the Ekraar@Linwood Park sponsored maiden hurdle, despite bungling the last fence.
"He is a very economical jumper who relaxes beautifully in his races so I asked Charlie to be patient with him early on," he said.
"Charlie rode him perfectly although he probably got to the front a little early in the run home. I think that's why he didn't jump the last that well as he didn't have any competition but once he got over it he finished off strongly to the line.
Phillips will now set the rising eight-year-old for an Open hurdle at Awapuni on the 28th of July before deciding on his future winter plans.
"I think he has what it takes to win a big race so I do have the Great Northern Hurdles in the back of my mind," he said.
"He's not that big so I don't want to crucify him with weight so if he could sneak into the Northern on the minimum we would have a serious look at it this year. If he doesn't make it then there will be plenty of opportunities for him next season." – NZ Racing Desk.
The accomplished flat performer had been strongly tipped to make a winning debut over fences at Awapuni in June but went under by a bare nose to the Kevin Myers trained Zed Case on that occasion. A disappointing run on the flat at the same venue seven days ago had some pundits questioning his credentials on the weekend however trainer James Phillips was having none of that before Saturday's contest.
"I was very confident he would win when he made his hurdle debut as I know just how good a jumper he is but he didn't get all favours that day," he noted.
"We did expect him to go okay last time at Awapuni but he didn't cop the track that day and couldn't pick his feet up in it. There were quite a few well fancied runners that went poorly so when he pulled up like he hadn't had a race I just put a line through it.
"Going back to Trentham suited him as he loves it there and I thought he would be very hard to beat if he did things right."
Phillips' faith was vindicated with Zedeedudadeeko producing a polished display in the hands of Charlie Studd as he outfinished race favourite Kipkeino in the closing stages of the Ekraar@Linwood Park sponsored maiden hurdle, despite bungling the last fence.
"He is a very economical jumper who relaxes beautifully in his races so I asked Charlie to be patient with him early on," he said.
"Charlie rode him perfectly although he probably got to the front a little early in the run home. I think that's why he didn't jump the last that well as he didn't have any competition but once he got over it he finished off strongly to the line.
Phillips will now set the rising eight-year-old for an Open hurdle at Awapuni on the 28th of July before deciding on his future winter plans.
"I think he has what it takes to win a big race so I do have the Great Northern Hurdles in the back of my mind," he said.
"He's not that big so I don't want to crucify him with weight so if he could sneak into the Northern on the minimum we would have a serious look at it this year. If he doesn't make it then there will be plenty of opportunities for him next season." – NZ Racing Desk.