Brad Widdup was quick to put the blame on himself for Za Zi Ba’s patchy recent form, but the trainer found a way to get the best out his promising filly at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
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After back-to-back unplaced runs in town, Za Zi Ba led all the way under the urgings of Mitchell Bell to take out the Kevin Robinson Memorial Cup (1400m) by 1-¼ lengths over Aanvoerder, with Our Belisa in third.
It was a relief for Widdup, who is still working out his classy three-year-old.
“I think I have stuffed up a couple of times with her,” he said after the win.
“We sort of rode her quiet. I didn’t want her to lead today but wanted her to be positive.
“Obviously she likes that style of racing.”
Bell was positive out of the barriers, but was pestered in the lead by Bjorn Baker’s Aanvoerder.
Za Zi Ba maintained the rails run and kicked clear of Baker’s hope at the top of the straight.
Our Belisa made up ground after bungling the start, but couldn’t reel in the winner.
It was Za Zi Ba’s second victory at start six.
“She has run against pretty strong opposition her last couple of starts,” Widdup said.
“I am really happy with her but just haven’t executed it properly. It was great for her to kick on.
“She is learning and I am learning.
“I might give her another run and then tip her out but she is going well.”
The win capped up a strong week for Widdup, who had five winners in five days across NSW.