Patience paying off for Zelgaria and Dunn

By Glenn Davis

Matthew Dunn’s Zelgaria may not have achieved the deeds of his Group 1-winning family so far in his career but patience is paying off.

Zelgaria is a half-brother to Politeness, who won of the Group 1 Myer Classic at Flemington in 2015.

Politeness was also a Group 2 placegetter and Group 3 winner in a career which ended with eight wins and six placings from 30 starts with prizemoney earnings of almost $1.13 million.

In contrast, Zelgaria has started only 15 times for four wins and five minor placings ahead of his next start in the Class 5 Handicap over 1200 metres at Ipswich on Wednesday.

Zelgaria was an acceptor for Doomben last Saturday but Dunn scratched the four-year-old.

“I thought the field was a bit tough and he drew a wide gate so I decided to scratch and run at Ipswich,” Dunn said.

Zelgaria was a $120,000 buy at the Melbourne Premier sales and has more than paid his way since after banking almost $145,000 for his owners.

A son of Snitzel, Zelgaria is coming off a last start fifth to the Robert Heathcote-trained Amore Veloce in a 1200 metre Benchmark race at Eagle Farm. 

Late last year he ran second in a Highway Handicap at Rosehill then won over 1110 metres at Doomben on December 6 before a close second on a heavy track at the Sunshine Coast on New Year’s Day.

“He’s been racing well this campaign and his last run was very good,” Dunn said.

“He was very good early on this campaign but for some reason he didn’t come up at his next preparation.

“He hasn’t missed a beat this preparation so he should be hard to beat at Ipswich.”

Dunn has no major plans in mind with Zelgaria but if he wins he could have a throw at the stumps at the $150,000 Country Championships over 1400 metres at Lismore on February 22.

“I don’t think he’s quite up to the winter carnival in Brisbane so he might have a go at the Country Championships,” Dunn said.

Dunn also is hopeful of a strong performance from Bandasha in the Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1690 metres.

Bandasha was placed over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm on January 8 before a last start fourth to I See You Coming in a 1350 metre Class 4 Handicap at Doomben on January 27.

“I tried him once over 1600 metres at Newcastle last year but he didn’t see out the trip,” Dunn said.

“His last run was very good but he hit a flat spot in the straight before he hit the line strongly.”