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By Mark Brassel

Bold front-runner Zakeriz has developed cult status in his home city of Wagga and can give connections and his growing band of followers a nice Christmas present on his home course this Friday.

Zakeriz is a lightly raced seven-year-old with six wins and two seconds from just 16 outings.

Zakeriz (Nyssa Burrells) shows a clean pair of heels at Cootamundra. Image by Bradley Photographers

The gelding has won three of his past four starts after leading the field and defying all attempts to run him down, a style that has endeared him to his fans.

“I’ll be sending him around again in the Ted Ryder,” said his 77-year-old trainer, Chris Hardy.

“A lot of people like watching him run as he’s a leader that keeps going, but until now he has been fairly underrated.”

The horse’s target is the $34,000 Ted Ryder Cup (1600m) at Wagga on Christmas Eve.

Zakeriz won the Cootamundra Cup (1600m) four starts back before finding the going a bit hot when eighth in the Country Classic (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens.

He then took out the Queanbeyan Cup (2000m) before leading throughout in the Ted Ryder Cup Prelude (1600m) at Wagga on December 6.

“This race will be a lot harder than the prelude and he will go up in weight, but he’s a horse that loves his racing and his condition has improved since his last win,” Hardy said.

The trainer revealed Zakeriz did not commence racing until he was a four-year-old.

“He was pretty immature – he went shin sore a couple of times and did a tendon which put him out of action for a year and a half.

“I only have the one horse in work, but I do have a couple out in the paddock spelling – so this bloke has been our flagbearer.”

Hardy said he will again engage Nyssa Burrells for the mount on Zakeriz as she gets on well with the galloper.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said. “It’s not a bad effort is it?” Hardy said, referring to Nyssa’s five rides on the horse for three wins and a second.

Last year’s Ted Ryder Cup was won by the Norm Gardner-trained Upper House who beat Wyangle and Spunlago. The latter had previously won the Cup in 2018 and 2019.

Meanwhile, Boxing Day will showcase eight NSW country meetings – Albury, Ballina, Inverell, Queanbeyan, Quirindi, Tumut, Wellington and Wauchope.

Wauchope Jockey Club will host their annual Hastings Co-Op Woop Woop Cup (1800m)

“We’re expecting and preparing for a record crowd with COVID restrictions lifted,” said WJC’s President, Les Latimore.

“The course is in excellent order and the patrons’ area now has an additional food and beverage outlet with a new van.

“There will be a Fashions on the Field competition for both men and women, so come along and enjoy a great day’s racing and continue to celebrate the festive season with family and friends.”

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Bathurst, Tamworth
Tuesday: Scone
Friday: Wagga
Sunday: Albury, Ballina, Inverell, Queanbeyan, Quirindi, Tumut, Wauchope, Wellington