There’s an expectation from co-trainer Adrian Bott that this winter will be a good one for lightly raced filly Zouphoria, starting with today’s Kensington meeting.
The three-year-old, a winner of two from eight, returns to her comfort zone second-up in the Headwater @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1400m) after a midfield finish down the Flemington straight on resumption.
Bott, who co-trains with Gai Waterhouse, said it was a run she had to have to get her campaign started and has brought her on nicely.
“We were struggling to find a suitable place to kick Zouphoria off,” he said.
“It wasn’t entirely suitable but it got her up and going, I thought she ran well. She’s improved nicely off the back of that and probably looks better placed.
“Potentially we could try to stretch her a bit further if we need to this preparation, out to a mile, but that [1400m] looks like her sweet spot.”
Zouphoria notched her maiden win over the Kensington 1400m second-up last preparation then backed it up in Saturday company just over two weeks later.
Bott said she showed a glimpse in the Group 3 Vo Rogue, where she ran fifth beaten under two lengths, that she’s above average and has more wins in her this winter.
“I think she can go through her grades,” he said.