Six-Win Taupo - Win 3 Zippy Zaitaku

From the family of tremendous racehorse Sir Slick, Zeitaku (4 g Savabeel - Miss Opulence, by O'Reilly) scored fresh-up under a majestic ride by Troy Harris in the $14,000 Proisir @ Rich Hill Stud Rating 65 1300 metres on 24 August at Taupo.

From fifth, Harris eyed an inside passage 600m out, stayed near the rail, and Zeitaku sprinted home to collar stable-mate Fashion Shoot (Savabeel), who put up a game performance after racing outside the leader.

A gifted horseman and integral part of the Te Akau staff, Harris provided his mother Darrell Harris with a special thrill as vice-president of the Taupo Racing Club.

Gelded since contesting the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) - Te Akau first four - in March at Trentham, and solid in two trials preparing to resume, Zeitaku had recorded a notable fourth on the course last season to subsequent Group Two & Three winner Dark Destroyer (Proisir) and appeared capable of making an impact.

“The blinkers sharpened him up and that was a really good effort,” Harris said.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM last November at Karaka Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Riversley Park, owned by Te Akau 2020 RTR Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Zeitaku recorded his second win from seven starts.

Zeitaku is from the family of Champion Middle Distance Horse Sir Slick (Volksraad), winner of 22 races including four Group One victories, and dual Group One winning Champion Three-Year-Old, now stallion, Puccini (Encosta de Lago), who won the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) and Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m).

“It was a very good effort to win under 60-kilos and I thought Troy rode a great race on him,” said trainer Mark Walker. “He'll improve for the run and he's fashioning a good record.”

Zeitaku was strapped by Caitlin McPherson.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz