A look at some of the higher-rating Group 2 performances of 2022.
When thinking of Australia's best horses, Zaaki is one who readily comes to mind.
The eight-year-old son of Leroidesanimaux has been a 'big gun' ever since his seven-length romp in the 2021 Doomben Cup and he is still going strong, as evidenced by his last-start win in the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m).
But, on ratings, the gelding's best performance of his spring campaign came first-up in the only non-Group 1 race he contested for the preparation.
His 1-3/4-length Tramway Stakes (1400m) win generated a Timeform rating of 124, which was the highest-rating Group 2 win of 2022 in Australia.
That was the same figure returned by Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) in The Everest, with 124 the highest mark returned by winners in non-Group 1 events for the year.
In fact, only four Group 1 winners posted higher peak winning figures in 2022; Nature Strip (130), Anamoe (126), Home Affairs (126) and Gold Trip (125).
Private Eye (Al Maher) earned a Timeform figure of 123 for his win in the Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, which was the second highest Group 2-winning performance, a figure he matched when winning the Nature Strip Stakes (1300m).
Five other horses went at least 120 in winning at Group 2 level in Australia in 2022.
Cascadian (New Approach) rated 122 when winning the Hill Stakes (2000m), the same mark he achieved with his win in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m), while Mazu went to 122 in the Arrowfield Sprint.
That son of Maurice also posted a 122 in his Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) win, while Paulele's Schillaci Stakes (1100m) win in 121 was the same mark the son of Dawn Approach posted in his Group 1 win, the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
Mr Brightside (Bullbars) went 121+ in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m), while Rothfire won the McEwen Stakes (1000m) in 120.
TOP-RATING GROUP 2 RACES
124 ZAAKI – Tramway Stakes
123 PRIVATE EYE – Gilgai Stakes
122 CASCADIAN – All Aged Stakes
MAZU – Arrowfield Sprint
121 MR BRIGHTSIDE – Feehan Stakes
PAULELE – Schillaci Stakes
120 ROTHFIRE – McEwen Stakes
119 BEST OF BORDEAUX – Roman Consul Stakes
118 FRANCESCO GUARDI – Moonee Valley Cup
KNIGHTS ORDER – Chelmsford Stakes
MY OBERON – Crystal Mile
117 BALLER – Bobby Lewis Quality
116 ASFOORA – Caulfield Sprint
NUMERIAN – Q22
OLD FLAME – Linlithgow Stakes
115 CHAIN OF LIGHTNING – Tristarc Stakes
NIMALEE – Golden Pendant
OVERPASS – Expressway Stakes
VOW AND DECLARE – Zipping Classic
