Zurella Aiming For Caulfield Cup

Saturday, 08 September 2012 04:51

ZurellaSmart New Zealand mare Zurella will be trying to qualify for a run in the $2.5 million BMW Caulfield Cup after her win in today's Let's Elope Stakes (Group 2) at Flemington.

"We're trying to get her into the Caulfield Cup so if she comes through this well we'll go onto the Naturalism Stakes", said Zurella's trainer Shaune Ritchie.

Ridden a well judged race by Craig Newitt, Zurella ($8-$10) beat Hi Belle ($8-$9-$8.5) by three quarters of a length with a head to third placed Total Attraction ($4.80-$7). The warm favourite Lady Melksham ($3.2-$3.5-$2.9) was prominent in the lead for much of the straight but faded to finish fifth.

A winner of four of her eight starts in New Zealand, Zurella has accompanied her stablemate (Miss) Artistic to Australia for a tilt at the Spring classics. Unfancied compared to her stablemate, Miss Artistic ($14-$26) ran seventh in today's race beaten only 3.5 lengths.

"Artistic got caught a little wide and got onto the bit today", Ritchie observed.

Enthusing over the performance of Zurella, Ritchie was thrilled with the start of her Spring campaign.

"We're delighted with what she's done today."

"They're only going to get stronger from here on in as we well know but she's handled herself very well at the lower grade."

"She's a beautifully boned filly that was always going to develop into a lovely four year old and its good to see her right on track", he said.

Ritchie is hoping that by winning the $150,000 Group 3 Naturalism at Caulfield on the 22nd of September, Zurello will escape the ballot for a berth in the Caulfield Cup.

He already has a strong hand with Miss Artistic having won the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks in the Autumn, beating Zurella by a nose.

Ritchie has brought the best two horses in his stable, knowing the strength of the opposition he is up against.

"We're finding it very hard to come over here and win these type of races with New Zealand horses and she's probably the best filly I've brought here for a while", he said.