Diary of a racehorse: Zarius finishes well but known to horse around

Lisa Cropp takes Zarius through his paces. Picture / Richard Robinson

Cambridge horse breeder Bob Emery ranks Zarius as his best current racehorse but confesses he once tried to sell the thoroughbred at an auction in Australia.

Mr Emery says it's not because he thought the colt was useless. He just prefers to race fillies.

Zarius, then a yearling, was passed in at about $150,000 so Emery decided to keep him on.

And when the Herald photographer at Ellerslie at the weekend absent-mindedly referred to the four-year-old gelding as 'she', his loyal owner was quick to jump to his defence.

"He doesn't mind being called stupid but he does mind being called a girl."

Zarius, as we have learned in earlier stories, is a bit of a fool.

But that does not mean he's a dud on the racecourse.

To the contrary, Zarius is going from strength to strength and is almost certainly heading to this year's Melbourne Cup.

Zarius was up at Ellerslie from Te Akau racing stables in Matamata for the Nathans Memorial race on Saturday, where he showed a strong finish after running towards the end of the field.

Shortly before 1pm Zarius was saddled up in the stables behind the Fashion in the Field arena for the 1.15pm race. His rump had already been brushed up to form a chequered pattern, using a stencil, and his forelock tied in a plait.

This is less for looks than convenience as Zarius has blinkers put on, which look a bit like a gas mask without the lenses, to help him concentrate by cutting out peripheral vision.

Mr Emery said not all horses liked blinkers but they tended to suit the offspring of Zabeel.

Zarius is sired by the superstar stallion Zabeel and bred from mare Sadler's Home, who was herself sired by the world champion Irish stallion Sadler's Wells.

Mr Emery purchased Sadler's Home, originally bought in England, at a sale in Sydney.

In the stables Zarius is checked to ensure he has no loose shoes and he is ready to run.

Outside he is led to the fenced area where glammed-up owners, champagne glasses in hand, get to mingle with their horseflesh investments shortly before the race starts.

Top jockey Lisa Cropp strides over in racing colours of canary yellow sleeves, emerald green armbands, and a canary and red quartered cap.

She goes into the race having ridden Zarius five times for an impressive four wins and a third place. That more than pleased Mr Emery, who noted how important it was for horses and jockeys to connect.

"That's one of the main reasons she is riding him in the Auckland Cup. The horse reacts well to her ... he just seems to run for her."

Cropp says Zarius is a "super horse" whom she sees as having a big future.

"He's an up-and-coming stayer but still a baby."

In a jockey tradition, Cropp has already gifted Zarius a name-plated halter, she likes him so much.

In a flash Cropp is astride Zarius and they leave for the starting gates.

Mr Emery heads off to the stands, where he seems pretty relaxed about the race.

"It doesn't matter if he wins or not as long as he's running on to the line."

Mr Emery notes Zarius is slow out of the gates and looking restless as the 2200m race begins. The race commentator tells it all, "the favourite Zarius" third to last, fourth to last, third to last.

"He's a long way off them," says Mr Emery as they come up the final straight. Moments later he's more enthusiastic. "Got him, good."

Zarius has performed as hoped and made up ground to run third equal.

Zarius, his neck veins bulging, heads back to the stables where he gets rubbed with a towel and then taken for a hose-down.

In about an hour's time he's loaded on to a float and taken home to Matamata.

* Tomorrow - Zarius returns to Ellerslie for the Auckland Cup, where all his top-class breeding and training will be put to the test. 

 
Cup countdown

One of Auckland's busiest streets will be closed today to host the inaugural Auckland Cup Week Parade of Champions.

Broadway, in Newmarket, will be closed to motorists for 45 minutes for a parade, which promises to showcase all the glamour and glory of the sport.

As well as champion racehorses, it includes a line-up of Mercedes cars, the Auckland Cup itself, a marching band, and appearances by Ellerslie ambassador Bridget O'Sullivan and Racing Minister Winston Peters.

The parade starts at 12.30pm from Clovernook Rd, under the motorway, and finishes at George St, near Parnell.

The Kumeu Trotting Club twilight meeting will be held at Alexandra Park from just after 3pm today.

Tomorrow: Auckland Cup Day

Thursday: Auckland International Boat Show

Friday: Auckland Trotting Cup

Saturday: Diamond Day