ZOUGOTCHA PRIMED FOR SECOND-UP ASSAULT
Quality three-year-old filly ZOUGOTCHA is primed to score a second-up win when she returns to action in the $250,000 Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes over 1500m from Rosehill Racecourse, Australia on Saturday.
ZOUGOTCHA had a big year first year of racing in 2022, with four wins and a second from six races. The daughter of Zoustar was quick to stamp her class, winning the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes on her fourth start before going on to claim the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes and then the Group 1 Flight Stakes for her final run of the year. That was in October last year, so ZOUGOTCHA was first-up off a four-month break when resuming in the Group 1 Surround Stakes on 25 February, and she looked in need of the run but was still right there in the finish.
The clear stand out in this week’s below-par-looking Group 2, ZOUGOTCHA should be back to her best second-up and can take a world of beating.
IT’S JUST SO FOR CURRIE
Trainer Mark Currie will be confident that handy sprinter JUST ENGAGED can go one place better this Saturday when he lines up in the $22,500 Class 2 race over 1300m at Toowoomba racecourse, Australia.
JUST ENGAGED previously raced in New South Wales where he scored twice from nine starts. Since arriving in Queensland, the No Nay Never gelding has shown signs of regaining form, finishing in the money at both starts, including a solid second at Sunshine Coast last start, when he let down well late to miss by only one length over 1200m.
JUST ENGAGED has since trialled well and he looks well placed in a moderate field at his Toowoomba debut this week, which can prove him hard to beat under jockey Nathan Fazackerley.
QUINTON TO CRUSADE FOR VICTORY
Progressive three-year-old gelding BEAUTY CRUSADE can land back-to-back wins in the $40,000 Class 1 Handicap over 1900m from Gosford Racecourse, Australia on Saturday.
The Ron Quinton-trained chestnut is on his fifth career start and was impressive when shedding his maiden tag at this track and distance on 18 February. Mapping on-pace, BEAUTY CRUSADE never looked in doubt despite a betting drift, drawing away with ease to post a winning margin close to two lengths.
BEAUTY CRUSADE holds an edge over some of his rivals who are unknowns at the trip, while with seemingly plenty of upside to come, he looks on track to post a double.
