I Am Zelady Zooms Home in Millions Feature

I Am Zelady Zooms Home in Millions Feature

Connections of progressive mare I Am Zelady are hoping the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares Handicap (1300m) will provide a launching pad to Group 1 success later this year after her impressive win on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The daughter of I Am Invincible was given a textbook ride from jockey Tim Clarke to land the lucrative $1 million feature ahead of race favourite Private Secretary and Tina Melina.

Pride was thrilled with the win indicated the four-year-old would now be aimed at Stakes races during The Championships in Sydney.

“It was a fantastic result and a great ride from Tim and fantastic support from connections to give me this mare,” Pride said.

“She’s got a lovely turn of foot on her and that 1300m was perfect for her today.

“She’s a lovely mare and the autumn carnival beckons.

“I wouldn’t be giving her another run before then because she’s a nice mare and she’ll win group races.”

I Am Zelady was Clarke’s only ride for the day and the jockey said his decision to follow her up to the Gold Coast despite a last-start defeat had paid dividends.

“She got beaten the other day but when I got off her I said to Jo that I thought she could still win the Magic Millions because she up in trip quick and she just got tired with her big weight,” Clarke said.

“She’s come back 50 metres today, dropped a lot in weight, we got the perfect run and pretty much from the 600m it was race over.

“Congratulations to Magic Millions and the Gold Coast Turf Club because they’ve put on an awesome day of racing with a great crowd and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.”

I Am Zelady, a daughter of I Am Invincible, was purchased as a yearling by former trainer Sam Kavanagh at the 2013 Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud.

The unbeaten half-sister to I Am Zelady, Tony Gollan-trained Zelady’s Night Out, will contest the $4 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic later this afternoon.