Zebrinz wins for first time in 15 months

Well-backed Zebrinz has snapped a 15-month absence from the winner’s circle at Flemington.

Zebrinz had not won since an Oaks day success at Flemington in November 2015 but was well-supported from $7.50 to $5 in Saturday’s Japan Racing Association Handicap (1400m) and didn’t let his followers down.

He was settled back in the eight-horse field by Damian Lane who produced him on the outside in clear running from the top of the straight.

The six-year-old chimed in at the 200m and went on to beat Sadaqa ($9.50) by three-quarters of a length with $2.30 favourite Duke Of Brunswick another 1-1/2 lengths away.

“It was nice to see him do it,” co-trainer Troy Corstens said.

“Unfortunately for the punters out there he runs on a lot and hasn’t been extremely consistent with his winning rate lately.

“But he’s always been a nice horse. And when conditions suit and he gets the right run he can hit the line nicely.”

Zebrinz was third-up on Saturday after an encouraging run two weeks earlier at Caulfield and Corstens said it was a relief to see the gelding back in the winner’s stal.

The win was his sixth win from 33 starts and he has earned more than $460,000.

“When you go and look at his record and his prize money in the bank, he’s done a pretty good job for us,” Corstens said.