Zourion (NZ) Soars to Stardom in Breeders’ Stakes

Barely two weeks after beginning her racing career, exciting filly Zourion (NZ) (Zoustar) stepped up to Group Two level in impressive style in Saturday’s $120,000 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). 

Zourion was bred by Pencarrow Stud, who sold her to Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis for $475,000 at Karaka 2022. Racing in the colours of Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, she has had two starts for two wins, earning $76,840 with the promise of much more to come.

Trainer Mark Walker has always held Zourion in high regard, but waited until Taupo on February 7 to give her a raceday debut. She duly won, earning herself the opportunity to step up to the big time in Saturday’s two-year-old fillies’ feature on her home track.

The Matamata Breeders’ Stakes brought a far tougher challenge, with the likes of Group Three winner Ulanova (NZ) (Santos) and three other proven stakes performers among a well-credentialled field. But Zourion rose to the occasion and maintained her undefeated record with a win that left few excuses for her opposition.

Ridden patiently by Opie Bosson, Zourion settled in second-last before saving crucial ground by cutting the corner at the home turn. She dashed through to take the lead, then dug deep through the final stages to kick away from last-start winner Lowe Flying (NZ) (Tivaci) and score by a length and a quarter. The rest of the field finished another six lengths behind the impressive first pair.

“She really is a high-class filly and she has it all ahead of her,” Walker said.

“You do have to think about whether you are doing the right thing by tackling a race like this so early in her career, but she is just so tough and thoroughly professional that it seemed well worth it.

“It is great to win a race like this for Brendan and Jo and the whole Cambridge Stud team, and I think the best thing about it is that I have no doubt she will be even better as a three-year-old in her next campaign.

“I’m going to sit down and talk with the team, but I’m leaning towards maybe spelling her now. She is in for a big season next time in with a number of very winnable races available to her.”

Runner-up Lowe Flying was a $420,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2022. She has had a win and two seconds from her three-start career to date, including Saturday’s valuable Group Two placing.

The third placegetter was Pignan (NZ) (Staphanos), who cost only $15,000 at the 2021 National Weanling Sale. She is now a dual black-type placegetter with a win and four placings from five starts to date, earning $39,300 in prizemoney.