No Zaaki – No worries!!!
That's how the Annabel Neasham stable is approaching its attempt at an historic fourth straight Hollindale Stakes at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Neasham will launch a four-pronged attack in the weight-for-age feature over 1800 metres with Jimi Hendrix, Mighty Ulysses, Numerian and Naval College.
However, Naval College is also an acceptor for the Gosford Cup on Saturday.
Neasham joined the likes of John Hawkes, Bob Thomsen and Chris Waller as the only trainers to claim three Hollindale Stakes last year - all with Zaaki - who was retired in March after finishing second in the Group 1 Northerly at Ascot in Perth in December.
Zaaki became the people's champion similar to Kiwi great Rough Habit, who is the only horse to win three straight Doomben Cups between 1991 and 1993.
A four-times Group 1 winner, Zaaki retired as a nine-year-old earning more than $11.1 million in prizemoney with 15 wins and 18 placings from 48 starts.
"There's No Zaaki here this year but hopefully we can carry on without him and make it four straight Hollindale Stakes," said Neasham's Brisbane stable manager, Todd Pollard.
Pollard believes the Hollindale Stakes will shape the winter carnival paths for Neasham's quartet.
Mighty Ulysses was a four-times winner in the United Kingdom and was successful at only his second Australian start downing his stablemate Jimi Hendrix in the Listed Brisbane Handicap over 1600 metres at Eagle Farm on April 27.
Pollard rates Mighty Ulysses as the pick of his stable's hopes but is unsure whether he'll progress to the Group 1 Doomben Cup over 2000m on May 25.
"It's hard to go past Mighty Ulysses on his last start win," Neasham said.
"He was very dominant and is quite a keen going horse but he has to see out the 1800 metres first.
"We'll find out a little bit more after the Hollindale which of these go on to the Doomben Cup.
"It will be interesting to see if Mighty Ulysses can get 2000 metres or if he's going to be too sharp for the Doomben Cup.
"He might not get it so he could come back in distance."
Pollard expects a stronger showing from Jimi Hendrix who was run down late in the Brisbane Handicap by Mighty Ulysses.
"I think you'll see plenty of improvement from Jimi Hendrix this time as he was first-up when he ran second in the Listed race," he said.
"Numerian is probably the class horse of ours.
"He's been a very good horse for the stable and will be looking to go to the Doomben Cup and the Q22 after this."
Numerian is having his first start since finishing a close fourth in the Perth Cup over 2400 metres at Ascot on January 1 while Naval College hasn't raced since winning the Listed Australia Day Cup over 2400 meters at Warwick Farm.
