The A$300,000 Haymes Paint Jericho Cup (4600m) is developing into a real fan favourite on the Australian racing calendar, and Karaka graduate Count Zero (NZ) (Zed) stole the show on Sunday at Warmambool with a supreme staying performance to win the third edition of the gruelling staying test.
Count Zero (NZ) (Zed) claimes 2020 Jericho Cup (Pic -Reg Ryan)
Bought for NZ$22,000 from Grangewilliam Stud’s draft at the 2016 Festival Sale, Count Zero has now won four of his 31 starts, placing in another 10 and earning A$249,910.
The Jericho Cup is open to Australian and New Zealand-bred horses only, commemorating the light horse involvement in World War I and run on the fourth Sunday after the Gr1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Enriched with history, the race was originally run in 1918 over three miles through desert sands and celebrated its 100th anniversary two years ago.
Since its establishment in 2018, New Zealand-bred horses have won three consecutive Jericho Cups, proving their immense staying power on the world stage. Ablaze (NZ) (Raise the Flag) won the 2019 edition and in 2018 fellow Karaka graduate High Mode (NZ) (Redwood) claimed the illustrious race.
The 2020 winner was ridden by veteran jockey Luke Williams on Sunday for local trainer Symon Wilde. Count Zero showed tremendous stamina as he surged forward coming up to the home turn. He swooped out of the pack, hit the front and forged clear, recording a popular victory by four and a half lengths.
“It’s a real thrill, I’m pretty sure that’s the biggest race I’ve won,” Williams said.
“I went into the race pretty confident. I walked the track this morning, and I knew there was a couple of spots where I could seriously make up ground without doing anything, if I could get to them of course.
“When I went up the hill the second time, he just rolled up there easily and was making ground beautifully. We stayed out on the better ground and made the ground we needed to and got the job done, which was awesome.”
Wilde was also delighted to triumph in a race that is rapidly increasing in popularity and significance.
“In this race’s short history, it’s been a bit of an aim of ours to win it,” he said. “I love the concept. I think it’s a fantastic race. It’s not just a pop-up race or money grab. I think it has real depth and meaning, and it’s an honour to win the race.
“A kiwi-bred Zed, this horse is tough as nails. Last run I thought the signs were there that he has settled a lot better this year than he did in previous years. I thought he’d be ready for this trip.
“His last two runs, they’re what turned us. The last two gave us some confidence to run in this race. When he pulled up so well, he’s tough, he’s a good eater, he’s the right horse to back up. The rest is history.”
The win delivered yet another staying feature for Grangewilliam stallion Zed (NZ), whose superstar daughter Verry Elleegant (NZ) won the A$5 million Group One Caulfield Cup (2400m) earlier in the spring. Another of his progeny, Irish Flame (NZ), was a recent winner of the A$500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m).
Buyers will have access to a handful of Zed yearlings at Karaka 2021 in January, with two in the catalogue for Book 1 and 10 in Book 2.
