Zebak expected to be winter winner

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34151, 12 May 1976, Page 8

Zebak expected to be winter winner

Mr Tom Davis, the Christchurch owner-breeder of the talented galloper, Zebak. should have much to engage his interest in the next few weeks.

Zebak will stan another campaign at the Amberley meeting on Saturday, and showed he was at a high level of fitness for the G. B. Starky Memorial, second leg of the T A.B. double, by running second a neck from Buzzin Along in a 1000 m trial from the starting gate on the outside of the course proper at Ric carton yesterday. Zebak strengthened and thrived while spelling and he will not surprise anvone who has seen his recent progress in training if he is a big u inner this winter. His programme might include the Whyte Handicap at Trentham in July. Zebak's early pro-

I gramme included a win. by five lengths, in the Selwyr Handicap at the Grand National meeting. His best performance in the spring was probably his third behind March Legend and Tonic Time in the Canterbury Gold Cup. 1 Zebak’s older half-brother. I Castle Hill, is also close to 'racing pitch after a spell. He | won two races including the Geraldine club’s McDonald Memorial in the spring, but 'was sidelined by injury- soon after an unsuccessful attempt ion the New Zealand Cup. i Castle Hill (bv Tiber II) was the first foal of Pango, a smart sprinter in the Davis I colours, and a close relation

jof the top flight performers, Sanderae and Weenell. Zebak (by Afganistan) was Pango’s second foal, arriving in 1971. A y ear later Pango foaled Tipang (by Tiber II) and this three-year-old has placed form in a light racing programme. Pango missed in 1973, but since then has foaled two ! more colts, a rising two-year-old by Headland, and a wean- ‘ ling by Beaufort Sea. She re- ! turned to Beaufort Sea last | spring and is in foal to the , Inglewood Stud stallion with IMr Davis’s fervent hope that 'she will be carrying her first i filly.