Stagger Out Lee Causes Epic Zoom Top Boilover

RANK outsider Stagger Out Lee has caused a boilover of epic proportions to take out Saturday night's Group 1 Zoom Top (730m) at The Meadows.

The daughter of My Bro Fabio, trained by young Wagga trainer Jack Strutt, hadn't scored in 10 appearances since annexing the Group 1 Bold Trease (715m) in epic fashion at Sandown Park in November.

Remarkably, in those 10 defeats, where she finished in the placings on all but two occasions, eight of them were at the hands of her more fancied opposition in Saturday night's group 1 invitational.

Ultimately it was that run of outs which saw the NSW powerhouse go around as the rank outsider at $34 in the $75,000-to-the-winner Zoom Top from box six.

STAGGER STUNNER

STAGGER OUT LEE proved to be the superior stayer in the Group 1 @sportsbetcomau #ZoomTop at @MelbourneGreys

After beginning the race better than expected, the NSW superstar produced a tremendous show of strength to land her second Victorian Group 1 at huge odds pic.twitter.com/feHfE1qJPd

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) February 11, 2023

But following a brilliant beginning, Stagger Out Lee lobbed straight into second behind race leader Korda, and despite giving up some ground mid race, was perfectly poised to unleash her devastating finishing burst.

And that she did – scoring by two lengths on the line in 42.64, handing NSW its third win in the race following previous successes by Irinka Barbie (2004) and Blue Lorian (2011).

Finishing second in the Zoom Top was a fast finishing Moraine Suzie while race favourite Cawbourne Magic ran third, never really entirely comfortable throughout the 730 metre journey from box one.

For trainer Jack Strutt, Stagger Out Lee's second group 1 Victorian triumph continues the dream run he's enjoying with the immensely gifted stayer.

And given her love-affair with Victoria it is all systems go towards the Group 1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers (730m) which begins at The Meadows next Saturday night.