Fine Kensington win for ‘iron horse’ Zou Sensation
Labelled an ‘iron horse’ by his co-trainer Troy Corstens, Zou Sensation (6 g Zoustar – Dame Claire by Danehill Dancer) kept his excellent run of form going on Wednesday when securing a victory in the Kensington Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Flemington.
Having had at least one race a month since May, the now six-year-old gelding has maintained a remarkable run of form during that time, winning four – including the Weekend Hussler Stakes (Listed, 1400m) – and placing in two of nine starts since a fifth at Caulfield on May 10.
Taking that record to five wins from 11 on Wednesday, Zou Sensation also moved his prize-money earnings beyond the $1 million mark in securing the $175,000 contest.
Ridden by Jamie Melham for the first time since a fourth-placed run in the Chautauqua Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at The Valley in June, the Bennett Racing-owned son of Zoustar (Northern Meteor) hit the lead inside the final 300 metres and gamely fended off the persistent late challenge of Steparty (Artie Schiller) to win by 0.2 lengths. There was a further two lengths back to the third-placed Persian Spirit (Cable Bay).
“He’s a very, very tough horse and he was a dream to ride today,” Melham, who now has three wins aboard the gelding, said.
“With age he’s getting more manageable and it all worked out perfectly. He’s had a very good prep and he just keeps fronting up day in and day out, so credit to him and to the team.”
Troy Corstens, who trains in partnership with his son Leon and Will Larkin, revealed connections would not be sending Zou Sensation for a break just yet.
“I was actually talking to Will [Larkin] this morning and he said, ‘I reckon I’m going to have a bet today’ and he said, ‘do you think he’s gone [trained] off?’
“I said, ‘mate, he’s as good as he ever is’. But it’s always hard when you’re coming to the end of the preparation and he’s been up for a year.
“He’s just an iron horse. Someone just said to me, ‘are you going to tip him out now’ and I said no. There’s no way I’m tipping him out, he’s going so well, why would you tip him out?”
Bred by Qatar Bloodstock, Zou Sensation was purchased by Bennett Racing for $150,000 out of the Widden Stud draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is the best of four winners from five to race out of the stakes-winning Danehill Dancer (Danehill) mare Dame Claire, who produced a filly by Brutal (O’Reilly) in October. Bennett Racing also have the three-quarter sister to Zou Sensation, paying $110,000 at Magic Millions in 2024 for Zousain (Zoustar) filly Zouclaire, who has been placed twice from seven starts.