Sport
10 March, 2025
Colin's Western Racing Report Orange February 28
Orange - raced Friday, February 28, 2025
Right from the first barrier trial, Zarizatycoon oozed potential and making it five wins from the first seven starts was a brilliant winner of the $150,000 Evergreen Turf CDRA Country Championship Qualifier over 1400 metres on Friday at Orange.
Trained at Bathurst by Gayna Williams and ridden by Mikayla Weir, Zarizatycoon ($5 to $4.20 favourite) after travelling third to the hometurn behind One More Thing and Chico Casino, bounded clear to win by nearly three lengths from the strong finishing, Dean Mirfin-trained Don Stefano (Mitch Stapleford, $31).
Gayna Williams is also the trainer of the third placed Light Infantry (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $6) while Nomorenightshift (Ashley Morgan, $4.40) a half brother to Zarizatycoon finished fourth in the 14 horse field for Mudgee trainer Mack Griffith. A big five-year-old gelding, Zarizatycoon continues to improve with every start under the care of Gayna Williams and now heads to the $1 million Evergreen Turf Country Championship Final at Royal Randwick on April 5 as a genuine winning chance.
Gulgong trainer Brett Thompson and Wellington based apprentice Dylan Stanley were off to a great start at Orange when winning Maiden races with Donna Emilia ($8) and Casino Diva ($8) both coming with well-timed runs from back in the field.
Trained at Dubbo by Brett Robb, Wilbury (Clay-ton Gallagher, $1.70 favourite) made it three wins and a second placing from the last four starts when leading throughout for a close win over Brogans Creek (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $8) and Shipshape (Chad Lever, $19) in the 1000 metres Living Turf Showcase Benchmark 82 Handicap.
Hosting a Country Championship Qualifier for the first time, the Orange club excelled, with a very big crowd enjoying outstanding racing at the immaculately prepared Towac Park racecourse.
