Zawari Razali has struck form with trainer Mark Walker after the pair combined for their fourth success of the year with Golden Sand Steed on Friday.
Indentured to Australian trainer Brian Dean, the Malaysian rookie has somehow found better luck when getting a leg-up on the New Zealander’s horses this season, especially in the last couple of months. Iking, Toast’s Angel and Constance’s Spirit are testament to the budding chemistry between the two with Princess Janna the only winner for his master early in January.
Walker was full of admiration of Zawari’s handling of Golden Sand Steed ($15) in Friday’s $100,000 Class 2 race over 1100m. Last-start winners Peace No War (Joao Moreira) and Sand Lane (Corey Brown) had been spruiked as the two main hopes, especially after Faaltless was withdrawn due to a high temperature, but they had underestimated one foe in Golden Sand Steed.
With seven wins and 10 placings in 25 previous starts, Golden Sand Steed was certainly no slouch, and with the benefit of one run under the belt upon resuming from a three-month spell, connections had no reason not to harbour a silent hope.
With speed merchant Sand Lane dictating terms as expected and Peace No War snapping at his heels, the pace was set at a good solid tempo. Not one blessed with the same early pace, Golden Sand Steed dropped back to the rear, ahead of only one runner, Condor Zandor (Koh Teck Huat).
Brown tried to steady the ship on Sand Lane, aware of his mount’s best trip being 1000m, a well-known fact not lost on Moreira, who scrubbed up Peace No War as early as the 500m to test the leader’s mettle under pressure.
After finding no joy at his previous five rides (including getting beaten into second place on two favourites, Barnato and Sugar Man), the Brazilian ace thought he was finally getting a whiff of his first winner of the night when Peace No War easily overhauled Sand Lane upon straightening, with only a gap of 200m to bridge to the wire.
But after both Barnato and Sugar Man were mowed down by a runner sneaking up from their inside, Moreira lucked out the same way for the third time in a row. Golden Sand Steed, who had taken all the shortcuts home along the fence, stayed on the same course to cut back Peace No War with every stride, before poking through from behind to get the upperhand by two lengths.
Sand Lane held on for third place another 2 ½ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 5.43secs.
Walker said Zawari rode a faultless race aboard the Pins five-year-old owned by the ST Resources Stable.
“He can ride this kid and he sure rode this one very well. He didn’t panic even though he was quite far behind,” said Walker. “It was a nice patient ride.
“This horse is better off when he comes on the outside, but Zawari decided to stick to the fence and it paid off. I guess the 54.5kg (after the 3-kilo allowance from Zawari) was also a big help.
“He’s a tough horse and is a typical product of the Waikato Stud.”
Zawari said he had been told Golden Sand Steed prefers to go wide in search of more galloping room, but opted for the shortest route home when the passage presented itself like the parting of the seas.
“Mr Walker told me this horse likes to take the outside run, but I was happy where I was and there was a gap on the rails throughout,” said Zawari.
“I didn’t see why I had to go around horses as I would have to cover more ground. At the 300m, I was confident my horse would beat the favourite.
“I’ve now ridden four winners for Mr Walker. I hope our luck together continues.”
With that eighth success, Golden Sand Steed has now amassed more than $450,000 in prizemoney for his connections.
