By Glenn Davis
The Toby Edmonds stable is hopeful former Victorian Zahspeed can make a name for himself in Queensland after ending an 18-month losing streak at Doomben on Saturday.
Zahspeed, ridden by Tegan Harrison, led all the way to down Emphasis by two lengths in the Padua College Open Handicap (1640m).
The Chris Waller-trained Torgersen finished third, a further 1-1/2 lengths away.
Edmonds was in Melbourne with Houtzen and Eptimum who both failed in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington and was represented by son, Trent.
Zahspeed’s win was the six-year-old's first victory since scoring at Swan Hill in April, 2016 for previous trainer Danny O’Brien and took his record to seven wins from 30 starts.
“We got a call from his owner asking if we’d take him on and he’s been a welcomed addition to the stable,” Trent Edwards said.
“He’s got form up to 2000 metres and we think he can really make it up here."
Earlier Waller continued his great form since opening a Gold Coast satellite stable when My Giuliano set a new course record in the Lite ‘N’ Easy Benchmark 90 Handicap (2040m).
My Giulano stormed home from last to down Endless Days by a long neck with Monteux third, a further 2-3/4 lengths away.
My Giulano was runner-up in two of his three previous Brisbane starts and franked the form clocking 2 mins 3.70s, more than a second faster than the previous track record.
“We thought on paper he might be up against it with a lack of tempo but they ran break neck speed down the straight the first time,” said stable foreman, Paul Shailer.
“He’s a horse you can’t bustle early and most of his best form has been on rain-affected tracks.
“He’s really blossomed since he’s been in Queensland and he deserved this win.”
Aptly named Tarzan completed a winning hat-trick when he held on to down Sweet Repeat in the Open Handicap (1050m).
Tarzan, a son of Drumbeats, made it seven wins from 18 starts when he edged out the fast finishing Sweet Repeat to score by a short half head.
Tarzan was bred by Brisbane Racing Club chairman Neville Bell and was sold at the 2014 Magic Millions March sale for $18,000.
Trainer Stu Kendrick said Tarzan was one dimensional but was proving to be a handy money spinner for connections.
“He’s pretty much one dimensional and always steps away slow,” Kendrick said.
“It was a terrific effort after running a record at Caloundra last start and he almost did it again today.”
Racing Queensland webnews November 4