Newmarket Handicap winner Zoutori chasing another Group 1 payday in All Aged Stakes

Newmarket Handicap winner Zoutori might have finally got his head around travelling in time for Saturday’s $600,000 Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

Zoutori has had his struggles on previous interstate trips to Brisbane and Adelaide but made a pleasing Sydney debut when fourth in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 10.

Co-trainer Simon Zahra said drawing the outside barrier was no help to Zoutori’s chances in the TJ Smith but the gelding thrilled connections with the way he finished the race off.

“He was enormous in the TJ (Smith),” Zahra, who trains Zoutori in partnership with Mathew Ellerton, said.

“He had to go back from the bad gate and, bar Masked Crusader, nothing else made ground. Giving those horses such a big start you can’t win.”

The TJ Smith Stakes was Zoutori’s first run in the five weeks after his Newmarket Handicap triumph.

Zahra said a fitter Zoutori would be much harder to beat over 1400m in the All-Aged Stakes.

The five-year-old will be out to become the first horse since Shaftesbury Avenue in 1991 to win the Newmarket Handicap and All Aged Stakes in the same year.

Co trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra are aiming Zoutori at Saturday’s Group 1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images.Source:Getty Images

“The TJ (Smith) was more about going there, having a day out and building fitness,” Zahra said.

“This is his target now. We’ve spaced his runs to pick his targets down the straight but we’ve found as he’s got a bit older, he’s more versatile and we can stretch him out a bit.

“I can’t wait to get him back to 1400m to be honest.”

TAB.com.au has Zoutori on the fourth line of the ‘all-in’ All Aged Stakes market at $11.

TJ Smith Stakes runner-up Masked Crusader is the early favourite at $3 ahead of Group 1 Canterbury Stakes winner Savatiano at $6.

The last five All Aged Stakes winners have come through the TJ Smith Stakes.

Zahra said the All Aged Stakes would be Zoutori’s last run before the spring. Ellerton and Zahra have earmarked the Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington as a spring target for Zoutori.

Originally published asZoutori chasing Sydney win for the Ages

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