Lady Zeraph Zips Home

At a meeting reserved for apprentice jockeys on 11 April at Waipa, Lady Zeraph (3 f Makfi - Zatiger, by Zabeel) won the $10,000 Te Ata Rest Home Maiden 1580 metres in the hands of Te Akau apprentice Tegan Newman.

Having just her third start, following a commendable debut performance with a tidy effort for third under Newman in the Maiden 1600 metres on March 22 at Waipukurau, Lady Zeraph was given a lovely trip in midfield and sustained a sweeping run around the home turn to win with more up her sleeve.

Lady Zeraph was purchased as a yearling by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $120,000 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, from the draft of Wellfield Stud, who raced her dam, Zatiger (Zabeel), an impressive three-time winner over a mile that in turn has left Billy Britain (One Cool Cat), a winner of seven races up to 2200 metres in Singapore, and Tiger Tim (Alamosa), a winner of four races to a mile in New Zealand, that has since won over 2000 metres in Australia.

“She's owned by Linda Buttle and she and her daughter Madison have been huge supporters of the stable and I'm thrilled that they've got the win with a promising staying filly,” Ellis said.

“Now that she's gained her Maiden win, we will probably give her a spell and I think with time to develop and mature she can go up a level or two over the next twelve months.

“Tegan gave her a lovely ride at Waipukurau, and again today in order to get the win, so I'm thrilled for her too. She's a young lady that works very, very hard, has the talent that with experience will win a lot more races and she's an important part of our team.”

On Dead6 footing, with blinkers on, Lady Zeraph ran the 1580 metres in 1:37.3, last 600m in 37, and returned $5.30 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote.

“They made sure it was run at a decent tempo, the horse quickened up nicely and should go on with it,” said co-trainer Stephen Autridge. “Last start (third) was encouraging, she's pretty laid-back and the blinkers made her a bit sharper.”

The pedigree of Lady Zeraph has a lovely cross of Sir Ivor, the sire of legendary stallion Sir Tristram.

Lady Zeraph was strapped by Kendyll Lee.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz