No Imperatriz, no Melbourne carnival top level sprinting pressure, and familiar territory is expected to suit Zoustyle as the eight-year-old makes his Queensland return at Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Tony Gollan’s front-running gelding couldn’t match it with Group 1 star Imperatriz in Melbourne over the last couple of months but a positive trial at Doomben last week has Zoustyle ready to go this weekend.
The son of Zoustar will attempt to win the $125,000 Swiss Ace Plate (1000m) for the second time in three years.
Though in the early stages of the Queensland Summer Carnival, the pressure is likely to be quite different to Zoustyle’s latest starts in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes and Group 1 Moir Stakes, both over 1000-metres at Moonee Valley and both won by Imperatriz.
“I thought the track was pretty firm for him down in Melbourne for him and he was just running into too many speedsters,” Gollan said.
“He’s not that level anymore, you know. He’s always been a summer star when I’ve run him in Brisbane over the summer carnival so the owners were nice enough to let me back off him a little bit and bring him home to Queensland, which was good.
“He’s had a jump-out last week at Doomben and was really good and heads into the Swiss Ace in great shape.
Zoustyle’s win in the 2021 Swiss Ace was followed by victory in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) a fortnight later.
Whether that carnival can be replicated, Queensland’s premier trainer is rational to the chances.
“His summer record has always been outstanding,” Gollan added.
“It’s basically where he burst onto the scene as a three-year-old.
“He won that Swiss Ace and ran blistering time a couple of years ago.
“Look, we’re realistic, it’s probably his last summer campaigning. He’s an older sprinter now and he hasn’t been without his wear and tear over his career but I think he’s got one more good summer left in him.
“He’s going really well. That jump-out was as good as what he’s done.”
Ryan Maloney reunites with Zoustyle who is rated a $4.60 chance with online bookmakers and will have a 3.5-kilo weight advantage on the $2.50 race favourite Prince Of Boom.