Latest News

By Ray Hickson

If Zarizatycoon can give Gayna Williams a third win in the $150,000 Evergreen Turf Central Districts Country Championships (1400m) at Orange on Friday it’ll be just reward for the patience of the five-year-old’s owners.

Trainer Gayna Williams (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The gelding didn’t make his debut until June last year after sustaining a paddock injury as a younger horse and he had his first preparation abruptly ended when he bled at his Highway debut.

But Williams said with four wins from six starts and two wins on end this campaign he’s made it to his target in perfect shape.

“We had this race in mind quite a while ago, he indicated he would be a good Championships horse,’’ she said.

“He’s had a tendon issue early on and spent six to eight months out which took a bit of time out of his preparations.

“So far so good, he’s gone well this time in and it’s good the owners were patient after he bled to give him the time he needed because it made a difference.

“He came in a bigger and stronger horse and a more mature horse.”

Zarizatycoon, $5 with TAB on Wednesday, warmed up for the Country Championships with an easy win at Parkes last month then held one of his main rivals at Orange at bay when scoring at Hawkesbury on February 12.

Williams clearly has a high level of respect for that rival, the Mack Griffith-trained Nomorenightshift, and said she would have loved a slightly more favourable barrier than nine.

“He’s a very promising horse in the making Nomorenightshift and I do think he will improve as he gets older,’’ she said.

“He’s got a bit of scope in him, Zarizatycoon, to run a mile eventually and I don’t think he’ll have any issues on Friday, the barrier will dictate how he is ridden.

“It’ll come down to the best ride in the race no matter who wins.”

The Bathurst trainer won the Central Districts Country Championships with Healing Hands in 2020 and Zoo Station in 2022 and regards Zarizatycoon as well and truly on par with them.

She does have a handy back up in the improving Light Infantry who earned his spot in the race with a last start win that Williams said was very satisfying to watch.

The gelding started his career with Mark Newnham then after two trials, when Newnham relocated to Hong Kong, he joined the Bjorn Baker stable but eventually made his way to Bathurst and debuted for Williams.

“He had a respiratory issue for a while and had a second throat operation, he was a horse that doesn’t have a lot of confidence and wasn’t finishing off in his races,’’ she said.

“He took a bit of time to develop confidence to finish off a race.

“He’s been a bit insecure but I think this prep he’s still learning and I was really happy with his last run at Wagga, not just because he won the race but he put them away a bit better.

“He tends to be a bit of a follower and likes to get a cart into his races but I was pleased to see him find the line himself at Wagga which is so encouraging.”

Zarizatycoon wins at Hawkesbury on February 12

Light Infantry drew the inside barrier and Williams said it’d be pleasing if he could run a big race for his owner Geoff Grimish.

“It will be a step up in grade for him but he’s pulled up well from Wagga and trained on well,’’ she said.

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Country Championships meeting at Orange