Geoff Collins Wins His Second Australian Cup With Zara Zulu
Owner Geoff Collins claimed his second Australian Cup at The Meadows when Zara Zulu – trained by partner Ros Hume – took out the 2012 version of the Group 1 classic in 30.14, winning $175,000 in the process.
The victory was sweeter for Collins and Hume as Zara Zulu is sired by Mogambo, a dog the couple stand at stud in Bunyip, Victoria. Collins won the race as an owner 10 years ago when Isa Brown saluted for trainer Robert Britton.
The black chaser jumped sweetly from box one and gave nothing else a chance, leading from go to whoa in 30.14 (5.03 and 17.82), one and a quarter lengths ahead of Gordon Bale, with favourite Dyna Tron ($3.90) running third.
The huge $175,000 winner's cheque has pushed Zara Zulu's prizemoney to over $200,000, making it eight wins from just 15 starts.
Trainer Ros Hume paid tribute to the young chaser, who showed brilliant early speed.
“It is always an advantage to draw box one with a dog who begins as well as Zara Zulu, but to see her begin well and show the courage she did tonight is amazing. Geoff and I have a really good partnership and we are so happy that Mogambo – a dog we stand at stud – has now produced a Group 1 winner.”
The Australian Cup final capped off an amazing three weeks of racing at The Meadows, where over $800,000 in prizemoney was won in another outstanding carnival.