Zarak

Zarak did well to get as close as he did in finishing second in the Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly on Sunday.

Dropped in by Christophe Soumillon from his wide draw in stall 16 of 16, he was significantly inconvenienced by the sedate early pace. Third last as they started to turn for home, he travelled really well into the straight. He made ground among horses, but he had to wait for the gaps to appear. He had to engineer a run for himself s furlong and a half from home, by which time Almanzor had kicked for home. Almanzor did pick up well, but he had occupied a more prominent position from stall seven from flagfall, he was able to race closer to the leaders, which was an advantage given that the early pace was slow. Zarak picked up well, and ran all the way to the line but, while he closed the winner down to a length and a half, he just wasn’t able to catch him. He was just too far behind him when the dash for home began.

This was another fine performance from Alain de Royer-Dupre’s horse. He didn’t have the run of the race when he finished sixth in the French Guineas, and he had to come from further back than ideal here, off a sedate early pace, stepped up in trip. He is obviously not as good as his brilliant dam Zarkava – not many are – but he is still a high-class colt who could have a say in some of the high-class middle-distance races through the season now. He stayed this extended 10 furlongs well on his first venture beyond a mile, and this was just his fourth race ever, the best run of his career, so he is entitled to progress again.

5^th June 2016