The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained gelding, Zou Sensation, will adhere to a strict Victorian racing schedule following a disappointing interstate campaign.

Zou Sensation is set to compete in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield this Saturday, with Group 1 ambitions later in the season on the stable’s radar.

Troy Corstens indicated that the gelding has struggled with interstate travel in the past and confirmed that his travelling days are now over.

After a win at Flemington on New Year’s Eve and a last-place finish at Caulfield in February, the Corstens and Larkin partnership had hoped for a Brisbane Winter Carnival campaign with Zou Sensation.

He finished fifth at Scone in May before heading to Brisbane, where he finished second-to-last in the Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) on June 6, his sole appearance there.

During a prior trip to Queensland in January 2025, Zou Sensation finished in the midfield in two races, one at the Sunshine Coast and the other in the Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast.

“He will never travel again, it just doesn’t suit him,” Corstens stated.

“I’m not sure what it is. We’ve tried it a couple of times, but he’s just not at his best when we’ve travelled him, so we’ll never travel with him again.”

Since returning to their Flemington base, Zou Sensation has participated in two trials at Werribee.

In the first trial on July 3, he finished fourth behind Hard Kick and Cruiserweight, and last Friday, he defeated Evaporate over 800m.

“He trialled really well on Friday morning,” Corstens remarked.

“He pulled up well, he’s come through it well and we’re looking forward to seeing him at Caulfield on Saturday.”

Corstens mentioned that the stable’s plans for Zou Sensation would depend on his performance on Saturday, but the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield remains a possibility.

“Saturday is the kick-off and you look at him and you think he is a Rupert Clarke sort of horse,” Corstens commented.

“We’ve got to try and see if we can get him there.

“The Peter Lawrence could be next, but we’ll have a look and see and we’ll be guided by what he does on Saturday.”

Zou Sensation has drawn barrier eight in the nine-runner field and will be partnered by Jamie Mott.

Two previous Perth contenders, Cosmic Crusader and Aztec Ruler, are scheduled to make their Victorian debut on Saturday and have drawn barriers one and three respectively.

You can find the latest racing odds for the Bletchingly Stakes at Australian betting sites.