Flying Zulu Lands Second G1 In Harrison-Dawson

THURSDAY night's Group 1 Harrison-Dawson was supposed to be a bridge too far for sprint giant Flying Zulu.

12 months earlier the son of Orson Allen had finished a narrow second to Stormy Day in the race where he was beaten a mere head in both his heat and final of the series.

And from box seven in Thursday night's $75,000-to-the-winner decider, it was expected that the Brisbane Cup hero would be up against it, considered the less fancied of Jason Thompson's all-star contingent which also boasted Tim Zoo and Field Day.

But as he has done more often than not during his glittering 55 start career, Flying Zulu found a way to win when winning seemed improbable, leading all-the-way in the group 1 feature in a flying 29.16.

Beginning brilliantly from the wide draw to lead, Flying Zulu always looked to have the race in his control, staving off a late challenge from Deadly Avenger while Mepunga Reward filled third.

The winning margin was a length and a quarter and extended his glowing Sandown Park record to nine wins from 20 appearances.

In claiming a second group 1 title, Flying Zulu's stake earnings soared to $999,895, now a mere race away from breaking the magical million dollar barrier.

Thursday night's Harrison-Dawson success was the 27-time winner's 13th group race final, an indication of his versatility and durability.

As well as wins in the Brisbane Cup and Harrison-Dawson at group 1 level, he also has a Group 2 Horsham Cup title on his resume along with two further runner-up group 1 finishes.

Set to turn four later in the year, Flying Zulu is still displaying the same zest for racing he was when he launched his career at Warragul in September 2023.

Now looming large is a defence of his Group 1 Brisbane Cup crown but while his heroics last year were at Albion Park, 2025 brings a whole new picture, with the race to be staged at Q2 Parklands.

Given what we've witnessed throughout his decorated career, the change of venue will hardly be a problem.