3 Win Wednesday - Zantabulous Fabulous

Housing quite a motor, grey filly Zantabulous (3 f Almanzor - Zantelagh, by Zabeel) could be aimed at the Queensland carnival after a dashing victory in the $14,000 J Swap Contractors Rating 65 1400 metres on 29 March at Matamata.

She did everything right to win over 1200 metres on debut in September at Matamata, beating subsequent Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) winning stable-mate Romancing The Moon (El Roca), and ran the fastest last 600m (35.1) for fifth when resuming on the course a fortnight ago.

Driven into a handy spot by Opie Bosson, Zantabulous peeled to the outside on straightening, quickly gobbled up the leaders, and she raced away to score by four and a quarter lengths.

On Soft5 footing that was devoid of smart times, Zantabulous came out best when running 1400 metres in 1:22.6, and paid $2.20 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote.

“We've thought a bit of this filly for quite some time and she could head towards Brisbane in the winter,” said trainer Mark Walker, who notched three wins on the programme and his 36^th on the home course this season.

“The spring didn't quite to plan with her, but I'm sure she's got a really good future.”

Owned by Te Akau Zantabulous Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was bought by David Ellis CNZM for $220,000 at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, who stand highly credentialed stallion Almanzor (Wootton Bassett).

“Zantabulous out of a nice young Zabeel mare that is already doing a good job at stud and we trained the half-sister to this filly, Irish Cream (O'Reilly), who was very talented but unfortunately she broke down after winning her first start by eight lengths," Ellis said.

“Her grand-dam, Dantelagh, was a great city sprinter in Australia, and there is a very good line-up of sires in the pedigree.

“It was an exciting win, Mark has always liked her, and beating the older horses the way she did suggests she could be competitive against her own age group in stakes' races in Queensland.

“She's got some owners that have supported us for a long time, been involved in Avantage, Te Akau Shark, and Imperatriz and like some of those horses, Zantabulous was also one of the last yearlings to sell.”

Her dam Zantelagh, a three-time winner to 1800 metres in Australia, is by Champion Sire and Champion Broodmare Sire Zabeel (Sir Tristram), a quality influence in the pedigree of any horse that cannot be underestimated and in many instances cannot be beaten.

Grand-dam Dantelah, by Champion Sire Volksraad (Green Desert), was a Group One winning sprinter in Australia, multiple placed at Group One & Two levels, and a grand sprinting mare that won eight races while always competing against the best. 

The filly carries a cross of brilliant sire Nureyev (Northern Dancer), a stallion renowned for injecting quality into any breed, the ability to accelerate, and some beautiful movers. 

Zantabulous was strapped by Kendyll Lee. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz