By Ray Hickson
Barrier one caused all sorts of nightmares for trainer Les Bridge, and punters, during the week but he’s hoping a better fate awaits Zonk at Rosehill on Saturday.
The four-year-old resumes in the Flexi 6 Membership Sprint (1100m), and was the early favourite at $3.10 with TAB, and Bridge said he’ll be instructing apprentice James Innes Jnr to make use of the inside alley.
Of course barrier one brought Bridge’s filly Seasons, who carries the same colours as Zonk, undone at Canterbury on Wednesday.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he led on her but she will be in the first three I reckon, with nothing on her back he’ll go forward and see what happens,’’ Bridge said.
“First-up it is a perfect race for her, inside alley and a track to suit her. There won’t be any excuses if she gets beaten.’’
Zonk isn't asked for a lot running fourth in a trial at Randwick on April 16
Zonk has an imposing first-up record with both her wins to date coming upon resuming.
Last preparation she made easy work of an 1100m mares race at Warwick Farm as an odds-on favourite and with two trials under her belt Bridge said she’s ready to go.
“I think this time up she’s going in a little bit fitter than she has in the past,’’ he said.
“She’s an honest thing and she’s a bit stronger, that last spell has done her a world of good. She’s been working well and she just had a look around in her last trial but I thought she trialled all right.’’
Bridge believes Zonk is most effective at distances around 1200m but she does have a second behind White Moss at 1400m to her name so wouldn’t be afraid to tackle that trip again.
Stablemate Pelorus Jack has been in the wars since he went for a spell back in November and Bridge said the four-year-old may need some more racing before he hits form.
The gelding was well beaten first-up at Randwick in a race run in track record time for the 1200m – though Punters Intel shows he ran a respectable 33.49 last 600m - and stays at that trip in the Ascot Restaurant Sprint.
Pelorus Jack had an interrupted preparation going into his first-up run after he ran nails into both feet at different times.
“He’s been in and out and it will probably take him a couple of runs. As the distances get further he’ll go better,’’ Bridge said.
Meanwhile, Bridge said Slow Burn will head to Scone next week chasing a change of luck in the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) while he’s yet to confirm a plan for Seasons.
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's meeting at Rosehill Gardens