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Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators

Mundijong trainer Michael Young was delighted at Zazu’s first-up win in the 2130m Simmonds Steel Precision Laser Cutting Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night. But he was more excited at the performance of Zazu’s stablemate Orlando Blue, who unleashed a sparkling sprint from tenth at the bell to finish third.

Zazu was the $2.40 favourite from the No. 1 barrier, while Orlando Blue was a $31 chance from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line.

Zazu, driven by Gary Hall jnr, set a solid pace and rated 1.56.2 in beating $8 chance Pradason by a length. Maddison Brown brought Orlando Blue home with a five-wide burst to finish a further length back in third place.

“Orlando Blue went better than the winner,” said Young. “It was an exceptional run. He is a nice horse, and providing he stays on track he will be in the Golden Nugget at the end of the year.”

Young said that Zazu, having his first start for just over three months, would not go up a grade after winning. “He will race in similar company next week,” he said.

“I have been lucky to get Zazu. It was due to word of mouth with Zazu’s main owner Gary Collinson knowing some of my other Victorian owners Alex Ashwood and Jamie and Aaron Bain.

“And after Zazu did a good job in his first campaign here, Gary sent me Beat City to train.”

The Victorian-bred Zazu has had nine starts for Young for three wins and four placings, and the gelding has now earned $59,661 from eight wins and 11 placings from 34 starts.

By American stallion Modern Art, Zazu is the third foal out of the Our Sir Vancelot mare Wyperfeld, who raced 68 times for five wins, 14 placings and $91,012. The highlight of her career was her victory at $90.80 in the group 1 Vicbred Super Series final for four-year-old mares at Moonee Valley in May 2009.