Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Zephyra, winner of two Group 1 features as a two-year-old in 2022, should appreciate a drop in class and prove hard to beat from the prized No. 1 barrier in the $100,000 Westbred Classic for four-year-old mares over 2536m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
She has managed one placing from her past six starts since setting the pace and winning over 1684m at Pinjarra on January 8 this year. But she has an impressive record of nine wins and six placings from 24 starts.
“Zephyra has drawn eight, nine and nine at her past three starts,” said trainer-reinsman Dylan Egerton-Green. “She has been racing against Free-For-All grade mares and holding her own. So, hopefully, she will be able to do the same in this event and make every post a winner. She loves leading.”
Egerton-Green holds a strong hand in Friday night’s event in which he will also be represented by Our Lady Jen and Quattrose.
Our Lady Jen, a winner at seven of her 34 starts, will start from the outside barrier (No. 3) on the back line with Stuart McDonald in the sulky. “She is racing well with placings at her past two starts, and is a good place chance,” said Egerton-Green.
Quattrose, to be handled by Trent Wheeler, will be an outsider, starting from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line. “She will be tucked away and is capable of running home well,” said Egerton-Green.
Fly To Fame and Hunt The Magic are likely to prove the toughest for Zephyra to beat. Fly To Fame (barrier five) is trained by Katja Warwick and will be driven by Chris Lewis. She has won seven times from 40 starts and has finished second at each of her past three starts, including a strong finishing effort when a head second to Turn The Page in the 2503m Race For Roses last Friday night.
Hunt The Magic (barrier four) will be driven by Kyle Symington for Byford trainer Ian Gossage. She rises in class after having won convincingly over 1684m at Pinjarra at her past three outings.