Slow burn has Zintilis ready to shine

By Glenn Davis

It’s been a slow burn for Deagon’s Christopher Zintilis, but from little things, big things grow.

Zintilis has the old saying ringing in his ears after starting his training career five years ago.

From a family that hails from Cyprus, Zintilis hasn’t set the training world on fire so far, but if determination counts, success is just around the corner.

Zintilis has learned from some of the greats of the Australian turf, including John Hawkes, Gai Waterhouse and James Cummings when he headed the powerful Godolphin stable.

The 26-year-old grew up in Melbourne and was introduced into racing by his father, who owned a breeding property and raced numerous horses in the south.

“I worked as a stable hand in Melbourne during the school holidays until I completed my studies,” Zintilis said.

“I was with Wayne Hawkes for 12 months and worked for James Cummings.

“After 12 months there, Wendy Roche asked me to look after Nettoyer for the Cox Plate in 2020 and I did all the groundwork with him.

“Unfortunately, he didn’t have much luck and finished ninth to Sir Dragonet that year.”

Zintilis has saddled 276 starters during his career for 22 wins, a strike-rate of 7.7%, and finished last season with a strike-rate of 6.7% after three wins from 46 starters.

Zintilis hasn’t trained a winner since O’Caldino won a Class 1 & Maiden Plate at Ballina in April.

However, he’s hopeful O’Caldino can end his lean spell when the gelding tackles the Class 3 Handicap over 2060 metres at Doomben on Wednesday.

Zintilis is a part-owner of the son of Dundeel, who was a paltry $1,000 buy off Gold Coast trainer Toby Edmonds.

“He’s been very consistent for me, winning a race at Ballina and placing on six other occasions,” Zintilis said.

“He’s been a very difficult horse to train and wasn’t easy to ride for Toby and his previous trainer Ciaron Maher.

“Since I’ve had him, he’s been unlucky a few times, so I expect he’ll run well at Doomben.”

Zintilis believes O’Caldino will appreciate stepping up in distance following his last start fifth, when he was beaten by less than four lengths by Hovland at Eagle Farm last month over 1805 metres.

“He’s up in distance, but that won’t bother him as he won his maiden over 2000 metres and he’s placed in a 2450 metre race,” Zintilis said.

“He’s dropping back from Saturday grade to a weaker midweek race and drops six kilograms in weight.

“He’s come through his last race well and at the weights, I think he’s a good chance.”