Lanfranco surges late to win the Group 1 Zoom Top at The Meadows
Lanfranco secured his first Group 1 title with a determined victory in the Zoom Top at The Meadows, edging out Groovebird in a thrilling finish.
The Brooke Ennis-trained stayer settled off the pace before surging late to claim the win by half a length in 42.76 with the top online bookmakers paying $3.60.
Groovebird, who had set the early tempo, fought gallantly to the line but couldn’t hold off Lanfranco’s powerful finish, while Unreal Speed rounded out the placings in third.
Group 1 Zoom Top Race Replay – Lanfranco (42.76)
Post-race, Ennis praised Jamie for his persistence and belief in the dog’s potential.
“He was amazing. You know, massive credit to Jamie. He’s just so good at what he does with these dogs. And I know it’s my name that’s always there, but, you know, he stayed so persistent and had so much faith in this dog right from the start,” she said.
It was a significant moment for the ownership group, securing their first Group 1 win.
“This is their first Group One and they’ve stayed loyal, they’ve stayed faithful, and they all really deserve it.”
Lanfranco’s journey to the top level has been a patient process, and Ennis acknowledged the key factor in his recent improvement.
“I think he’s just really placed him really well.
He’s put him in races and worked through his grades, and he’s got the confidence.
The ability was never the issue.
It just looked like he really needed to learn what to do, and he’s been racing with so much confidence.”
Reflecting on Lanfranco’s development, Ennis shared an interesting insight into his early days.
“I only found out probably about 10 or so starts ago. I was talking to Ray Brewer here at The Meadows one night, and he said he ran him with Windsor Girl for a little while, but he just got a bit big for her, and he had to go out by himself.
I’m tipping that’s probably a really big cause of why he’s taken time to hit the elite camp.”
Now with 12 wins from 34 starts and a Group 1 victory to his name, Lanfranco has firmly established himself among the country’s top stayers.
The Meadows Zoom Top 2025 Results
2025 Zoom Top ResultsThe Meadows 730m Group 1 $75,000 to-the-winner Saturday, February 8, 2025
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| 1st |
2 Lanfranco
T: Brooke EnnisTime: 42.76Margin:
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| 2nd |
5 Groovebird
T: Jeffrey BrittonTime: 42.78Margin: 0.50 Lengths
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| 3rd |
6 Unreal Speed
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| 4th |
7 Black Silencer
T: Kerrie WhiteTime: 42.89Margin: 2.00 Lengths
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| 5th |
8 Pass Mark
T: Jeffrey BrittonTime: 43.06Margin: 4.75 Lengths
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6th |
3 Irish Millie
T: Stephen WhyteTime: 43.21Margin: 6.75 Lengths
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| 7th |
1 Ethanol Water
T: Thomas DaillyTime: 43.48Margin: 11.00 Lengths
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| T |
4 Cashing Out
T: Vicki WisenerTime:Margin: Lengths
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