Zelenski looking to extend Cups haul

[Wandering Eyes]

Zelenski (NZ) (Shocking) will be vying for a hat-trick of Cups wins when he heads to Oamaru on Sunday.

The son of Shocking was victorious in the Waimate Cup (1600m) two starts back before adding the Amberley Cup (1600m) to his haul at Riccarton a fortnight later.

The Ken Rae and Krystal Williams-trained six-year-old will be out to continue his rich run of form this weekend when tackling the Crombie & Price Oamaru Cup (1600m).

“I have got a soft spot for Zelenski,” Krystal Williams said.

“He is going for the Oamaru Cup which is his run before going to the Winter Cup (Gr.3, 1600m) and I would love to see him in the top five.

“If he can win three in a row that would be amazing, but the weight (60kg) he has to carry is a bit ridiculous.”

Zelenski will once again be met by a Heavy track, and while the surface hasn’t been ideal for the gelding in the past, his breakthrough win last month has quelled some of those concerns for his connections.

“I was absolutely surprised how he went on that track (Heavy10 at Riccarton last start),” Williams said.

“I was not expecting that. He got through it comfortably and won better than he had the start before.

“He has just gone from strength-to-strength.”

Williams is excited to have booked northern apprentice Kelsey Hannan once again for Zelenski and is hopeful they can assist her in her late challenge for the premiership.

“We have always had a close relationship, and she is also close with Kenny, we just want to see her succeed and it would be great to see her get it (premiership),” Williams said.

Hannan will also partner Blood Diamond and The Roaring Tiger for the dual-Island barn.

“I have got Blood Diamond going over ground again and she is knocking on the door to pick up a win sometime soon,” Williams said.

“We have also got The Roaring Tiger in. He is going from strength-to-strength since we got him. We should have a good day.”

The stable will also be represented by Tannahill in the Easymade Marmalade Ltd (1200m).

With 26 wins to their name this term, the stable is experiencing their best season to date, and Williams said much of that can be attributed to the establishment of their permanent Canterbury base last spring.

“We had a goal of getting 25 wins for the season, our best ever was 24, and we are at 26 now,” Williams said.

“It has shown in our results the strength of having two bases.

“We are pretty lucky where we are at Burnham, we have got a lovely property and it is quite relaxing for the horses. They all seem to come through their races quite well. They get that time out when they need it.

“There are still a few meetings to go, so we are not finished yet.”

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