Weekend Winners for Zousain

Te Akau’s trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson had a successful day on Saturday and one of their most impressive winners in New Zealand was Zousain filly The Victress, who won the open three-year-old contest at Riccarton named in memory of the late Kevin Hickman.

The Victress collected her maiden success as a two-year-old in January, and indicated there is plenty to come in her spring campaign with a dominant front-running victory under Wiremu Pinn.

“It was a good ride of Wiremu’s to get a pretty soft lead and they don’t seem to be making up much ground with the rail out,” Walker said.

“It’s good that she’s now had a look down the chute at Riccarton, because next start she’ll be in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m).

“The Victress is just a bit stronger this year and I think she’ll really go on with it.”

The Victress has won two of four starts and was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $250,000 from the Coolmore draft at Magic Millions. She was a successful pinhook having been sold previously by Bhima Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $130,000 to Manson Place Bloodstock.

Bred by Bhima Thoroughbreds, The Victress is the fourth winner and is the final foal from stakes-winning Exceed and Excel mare Liesele, who died in 2021.

Zousain added a new winner to his tally on Sunday when Zoum Raider broke his maiden at Wyong at his second start.

Zousain is currently leading the second crop sires division by winners (6) and earnings.