Royal Ascot Zaaki Annabel Neasham

Trainer Annabel Neasham revealed Royal Ascot officials have contacted her about sending Zaaki to the famous English race carnival in June.

Neasham said England is only one of the options being considered for stable star Zaaki, winner of the Group 1 Underwood Stakes and Mackinnon Stakes, plus the All-Star Mile before his brave second in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes behind Think It Over last week.

“I want to sit down with Zaaki’s owners soon to work out where we go,’’ Neasham said.

“He could possibly head to the Doomben Cup which he won last year and I like floating the idea of Royal Ascot but logistically it might be too hard.

“I wouldn’t want to leave him over there too long as the owners are keen to aim him at the Cox Plate this spring.’’

Neasham is still hurting after Zaaki looked the winner of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes only to be run down near the line by Think It Over who made his powerful late surge down the outside running rail to win Sydney’s richest autumn carnival weight-for-age race.

“To go so close to winning the Queen Elizabeth, it was very frustrating,’’ Neasham admitted.

“I have not been in Australia that long but I remember Winx winning it three times and it is just such an iconic race but I was very proud of Zaaki.

“Take nothing away from Nash Rawiller and Kerry Parker, what they did with Think It Over was amazing.

“I was happy to go down to him but frustrating all the same. At the furlong I was praying the line would come.’’

Neasham said Zaaki has earned a short break before the trainer finalises plans for the $6.9 million earner.

“He looks enormous,’’ Neasham said. “If he runs again he has time to have this week off.

“It would be a shame not running him again because he has so much condition on him, he is in unbelievable order.’’ 

Originally published as Middle distance superstar Zaaki is being courted by Royal Ascot officials