The Magic Millions staying feature could be ahead for Zennzella after the mare returned to the winners’ list for the first time since October 2022 with victory in the Listed Lord Stakes at Caulfield.
Positive things were ahead for the then three-year-old filly by Snitzel when she took out the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) and then ran fourth in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) five days later during last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Ridden by Jamie Kah, the win in this 1800-metre event follows the mare having been sold at the 2023 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale in May for $750,000.
“She can lay in under pressure and she is still getting there fitness-wise,”Maher said.
“2024 looks bright for her.
“When Rick Jamieson and the team purchased her I said she’s still got a little bit more in her.
“Being a Magic Millions horse she can run in the staying race over 2200-metres which is fairly restricted for good money.
“It doesn’t carry the black-type so I’ll see what the team want to do.”
The $1 million Magic Millions Subzero (2200m) falls on the Magic Millions card at Gold Coast on January 14.
Winless in two starts earlier this year, Zennzella ($2.60 betting sites favourite) returned to the track and recorded the fastest sectionals across the board in her third placing in the Group 3 Summond Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield earlier this month, before this neck-margin win over stablemate Mankayan($15).
On his return to racing, the one-time Melbourne Cup fancy pleased Maher with more in-store.
“Mankayan was very good late,” Maher added.
“He has prepped up really well and hit the line strong.
“He had a bit of an indifferent prep last time but it looks like he’s right back on track.”