It was certainly a case of “age shall not weary them” on the Heavy 9 at Randwick on Saturday as three veteran geldings Eduardo, Zaaki and Knights Order each easily won feature races.
Nine-year-old gelding Eduardo belied a betting drift as he dominated the Concorde Stakes from the outset as he showed his usual speed and then cleared out early in the straight.
He thrives on heavy tracks and is again shaping as a legitimate Everest contender.
Eight-year-old Zaaki also showed he had lost nothing as he ploughed through the mud to win the Tramway Stakes first-up.
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His trainer Annabel Neasham said it was a case of the same old Zaaki turning up to the races.
Neasham said on RSN that it was a brilliant return from Zaaki and he would take improvement from that.
“There are options in Melbourne and he’ll be nominated for everything. We will be dictated to by the weather but we won’t be shying away from wet ground,” Neasham said.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s eight-year-old gelding Knights Order resumed after winning the Sydney Cup in the Chelmsford Stakes and he was able to win over 1600 metres first-up.
Knights Order is being set for the Melbourne Cup.
HORSES TO FOLLOW
NUMERIAN
Imported galloper who looks to be finding his mojo in Australia. He completed his last campaign with a win in the Group 2 Q22 at Eagle Farm and he kicked off his spring campaign with a strong finishing effort for second behind Knights Order in the Chelmsford Stakes. The Annabel Neasham trained stayer looks in for a big campaign.
ICEBATH
Under-rated mare who began her spring preparation in typical fashion with a great run when second behind Zaaki coming from well back. She’s a three times Group 1 placegetter who will again be a threat at that level. She’ll also be a back chance to go back to back in The Invitation. Don’t forget she’s loves it wet.
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