Off the back of a convincing debut win on Randwick’s Kensington track, flashy Snitzel colt Zoukerino leapt into the big league when overcoming significant interference to take home the Listed Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Going from midweek grade straight to stakes company is never easy, however the Magic Millions National Sale topper ($500,000 to the bid of Suman Hedge Bloodstock) handled the rise in class with ease to defeat a field where all bar one runner were either stakes-performed or last start Saturday Metropolitan winners.
Positioned just behind the leaders off what was an even tempo, jockey Brenton Avdulla required all of his dare to squeeze through a tight gap at the 200 and nail Spacewalk who looked the winner with 100m to go. The Milburn Creek-bred colt’s lightning quick turn of foot once in the clear was too much to hold out late and provide the stable our first win in the early Spring feature.
The Rosebud is a traditional kicking off point for Spring 3yo’s, with an honour roll including the likes of Paulele, Anders, Menari and Eurozone in its short history. He will be given an easy time following his maiden stakes win before a plan for the rest of the Spring is mapped out.
Congratulations to his owners: Iskander Racing & Breeding, Milburn Creek Thoroughbred Stud, Mr J G Richards, Mr S P Hedge
