Neasham happy with barrier one for Zaaki in Cox Plate

[Wandering Eyes]

Annabel Neasham was happy $4 winning chance with Ladbrokes – Zaaki – drew barrier one for the Cox Plate. (Racing NSW)

She went through the ordeal of scratching favourite Zaaki before last year’s Cox Plate, but there were no complaints from Annabel Neasham at the 2022 Cox Plate barrier draw.

Her star eight-year-old drew the rail for his 2040m assignment at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Stablemates Mo’unga and Laws Of Indices were allocated lanes nine and three, respectively – overall an “ideal” result for Neasham.

Zaaki will go in as the second favourite with Ladbrokes at $4, behind James Cummings’ superstar Anamoe, at $2.40.

After going through the heartache of pulling him out due to an elevated temperature on the morning of the $5 million feature last year, Neasham was delighted her three-time Group 1 winner drew the inside position.

“I was really keen to draw him in – he’s always looking for the rails, Zaaki,” she told Racing.com at the Cox Plate barrier draw on Tuesday.

“Even galloping this morning, Jamie (Kah) said he was trying to find the rail the whole way.

“So hopefully some other horses can miss the kick. And hopefully he doesn’t choose to do that on Saturday, and we can give him a nice positive ride on the rail.”

Zaaki has picked up two respectable thirds so far this preparation – in a hot field in the Might And Power Stakes last start, and the Underwood Stakes on September 25.

Neasham was pleased with the way he competed in both Group 1 features.

“Zaaki has been plagued with barriers most of the way through, but it hasn’t really affected him until this preparation,” she said.

“He’s usually been the only horse contesting the lead or up on the speed. But with the addition of Alligator Blood and the rest, it’s made it much more interesting.”

Neasham is also impressed with the form of Mo’unga ($31) – who ran second in the Underwood Stakes, and Laws Of Indices.

Five-year-old stallion and $26 outsider, Laws Of Indices, finished second in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap over a mile last start on October 8.

“I’m very fortunate to have three runners, and I think they’re three live chances,” she said.

“Laws Of Indices drew very awkwardly in the Toorak, so it’s nice that he’s drawn a bit of a gate.

“He’s up at 2000 for the first time, so I’ll be hoping to smother him up a little bit.

“And I think Mo’unga’s draw is ideal for him. He’s a horse that needs winding up and probably doesn’t want an interrupted run.

“So I think barrier nine should probably be ideal for him.”

Neasham was happy with the work of her three runners on Tuesday morning.

“We just worked Zaaki solo today. We usually work him in company, but we just decided he’s pretty forward and ready to run Saturday,” she said.

“It was more just a tick-over piece of work. He was brilliant, and Mo’unga and Laws Of Indices worked well.”

Neasham said there was an uncharacteristic calmness about Mo’unga during his trackwork session.

“First time Nash (Rawiller) has partnered Mo’unga and he actually worked very well for him, which is a good sign,” she said.

“He’s not always the most flash track worker, but was pretty good this morning.”

After observing his work, Neasham decided to make a gear change for Laws Of Indices.

“Laws Of Indices, we’ve actually taken the blinkers off him. He was just a little bit keen early on in his work today,” she said.

“It was a bit the same in his run in the Toorak early on. So we just thought up in trip we’d tinker with the gear and take it off.

“I was really happy with their work.”

Neasham has moved on from last year’s crushing scratching of Zaaki, and said she was grateful to have him in good order – and running well – for the 2022 edition on Saturday.

“I think as a young or an old trainer, we all want to win a Cox Plate,” she said.

“This is the best line-up of horses in Australia at the moment.

“For me, we had the disappointment of scratching Zaaki last year.

“So it’s a relief that we’re back here. At the time I thought ‘I hope we’re back here in 12 months’ time’.

“It’s a long time for an older horse like him.”

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