Trainer Mat Ellerton is spring dreaming with improving three-year-old Zoutori but to make that happen, he has a tough decision to make.
After Zoutori had taken out the Auckland Racing Club Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on Thursday, Ellerton said the rising four-year-old was in urgent need of improving his rating to qualify for some of the spring’s feature events.
“But then, if you go to Queensland, it’s a quick turnaround for the spring so I’m just not sure,” the Flemington-based trainer said.
“The Queensland Guineas is the first week of June so maybe he might get there.
“He needs to get his rating up near 100 to get a start in anything when he’s four in the spring. I’ve been there, done that.”
The Queensland Guineas is a Group 2 race worth $350,000 and is run at Eagle Farm on June 8.
Zoutori, who took his record to 10 starts for three wins and nearly $150,000 in stakes, was originally purchased at the Sydney Easter sales for $160,000 by Ellerton but races in Jonathan Munz’s colours of white with the red stripes after be bought into the colt following the sale.
Craig Williams notched a winning treble when he guided the son of Zoustar ($2.70 fav) to a relatively comfortable half-length victory after fighting off the late challenge from runner-up Big Night Out ($4.20) with a half length to $19 chance Zaidin in third place.
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