Zambora Brockie wins 2016 Group 2 Ballarat Cup
STAR Victorian Zambora Brockie added another feature success to his resume on Friday night, scoring a sensational victory in the Group 2 Ballarat Cup (450m).
Starting from box two in the $77,000 to the winner feature, Zambora Brockie exploded from the traps but was headed around the turn by rails runner Judicial Man.
Upon straightening, Zambora Brockie was still spotting the leader a few lengths but was able to balance up and produce a powerful run down the centre of the track, claiming the lead in the run to the line to score by two-and-a-half lengths in a hot 25.02.
Judicial Man weakened in the straight but was able to cling on for second, with Weekend Binge (box seven) rounding out the trifecta back in third spot.
Trained by Anthony Azzopardi, Zambora Brockie has now won 30 of his 48 starts with a further nine minor placings. Among his victories are wins in the Group 1 Winter Cup, the Group 1 Vic Peters, the Group 2 Warrnambool Cup, the Group 2 Horsham Cup and the Group 2 Shootout, while he also ran second in the Group 1 National Sprint Championship and been a finalist in the Group 1 Paws of Thunder, the Group 1 Temlee, the Group 1 Topgun and the Group 1 Melbourne Cup.
The victory on Friday night also took his career earnings above the $563,000 mark – with the son of Nitro Burst and Flying Liddy receiving an additional $50,000 on top of the winner's cheque as a bonus for winning three country cups within the calendar year.
Azzopardi confirmed after the run that his charge will now be aimed at the heats of the Group 1 Hobart Thousand (461m) which are set to be run in the Apple Isle on December 15.