Brockie Baby To Follow In Dad's Footsteps

ZAMBORA Lou is poised to emulate the deeds of his sire Zambora Brockie when he steps out in Saturday night’s Group 2 Horsham Cup Final (485m).

ZAMBORA Lou is poised to emulate the deeds of his sire Zambora Brockie when the 22-month old prodigy steps out in Saturday night's Group 2 Lock Constructions Horsham Cup Final (485m).

Back in 2016, Zambora Brockie – forging a hugely successful course at stud – won the Horsham Cup in commanding fashion, one of six group race wins throughout his illustrious career.

And following a blistering near record 26.97 heat victory on Friday, it's one of his early offspring Zambora Lou that has thrown himself into the spotlight for this weekend's $47,000 to-the-winner Horsham Cup finale.

"He's only 22 months old and it's hard to know just how good he's going to be," said Thompson.

"But I've got no doubt it'll be another six months until we see the absolute best of him … he's got that explosive mid race speed which the real good ones have."

Victorious at four of his first five starts for trainer Garry George, Zambora Lou transitioned to Jason Thompson's kennels early last month, scoring at Shepparton in blistering fashion before Friday's sizzling Horsham Cup heat success.

"The plan was always for him to come here after a few starts with Garry," Thompson explained.

"Friday was a big ask for him. It was his first time at 480 metres and in group company but he gives you the feeling at home that nothing bothers him and he's taking that into his races.

“If he's got a slight hang up at the moment it's that he can be a little hit and miss out of the boxes. From the six in the final it's more a matter of him getting clear room that first 20 metre or so. There's obviously going to be a lot more pressure early this week than in his heat.”

Drawn box six for Saturday night's Horsham Cup decider, Zambora Lou is from the hugely exciting Zambora Brockie x Zambora Cross litter owned by Charlie Azzopardi.

"It's some litter," Thompson beamed.

"It's hard to make comparisons but Zambora Lou reminds me a lot of Black Magic Opal with the acceleration he shows. His middle split on Friday was 13.62 and that's where he breaks them up. 

"When you look at the seven of them they can all run. Zambora Lion is the slowest of them and he's won three from seven and ran 25.70 at Warragul. That tells you the ability they've got.

"In the next six months I expect Zambora Lou and Zambora Smokey to furnish into genuine country cup dogs if not more. They've got the world at their feet."

And while ultra excited about what the future holds for the talented duo, Thompson can't help but stop and ponder what might have been with the ill-fated Zambora Markie, the star youngster sadly laid to rest after falling in a race at Sale before Christmas.

"He was going to be an absolute megastar of the sport," Thompson said.

"He safely had three to four lengths on his two brothers and they are running close to track records now. He could have been absolutely anything that dog … but you can't bring them back. As I said god knows what he could have been."

Five heats of the Horsham Cup were run and won on Friday with the Jeff Britton-trained Mepunga Wonder recording the fastest heat time with his narrow victory over Christo Bale in 26.96.

Britton will be represented by three runners in Saturday's finale after Barcia Prince qualified with a narrow second to Smokin' Cindy in 27.16 while his Group 3 SA Derby winner Mepunga Pegasus landed his heat in 27.32.

Following last year's track record breaking victory by Orson Allen, gun sprinter Tiggerlong Tonk took trainer Correy Grenfell one step closer to back-to-back Horsham Cups with his 27.32 heat success, while in the final qualifier Vivatar finished strong to score for Matt Lanigan in 27.27.

BOX DRAW: Group 2 Horsham Cup

1. Christo Bale
2. Barcia Prince
3. Tiggerlong Tonk
4. Vivatar
5. Mepunga Pegasus
6. Zambora Lou
7. Mepunga Wonder
8. Smokin' Cindy

PIC: GRV/BLUE STREAM PICTURES

 

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