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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Spider Zagato stays on stoutly

Mon 20th Aug 2012, 15:23

Spider Zagato beating Zalantoun at TramoreSpider Zagato beating Zalantoun at Tramore
© Photo Healy Racing

Two races in at Tramore and two short-priced favourites beaten into second - this time John Oxx’s even money Zalantoun found Spider Zagato (11/2) too tough at the finish.

Ben Curtis was on board Zalantoun and quickly set out to make all in the mile and a half maiden. However, he couldn’t shake off Wayne Lordan and Spider Zagato who pulled level a furlong out and stayed on stoutly for a three parts of a length success.

This win brought up Lordan’s half century for the season and he’s right in the mix for a first flat jockeys’ title, six behind Pat Smullen. The in-form jockey has won on five of his last 10 rides.

Lordan said of the Tommy Stack-trained colt: “He stays really well, but he was very green in Killarney. He improved a bit from there and hopefully he’ll improve again.”

Spider Zagato had run fourth of 10 in a one mile six maiden at Killarney on yielding ground on July 18.

John Oxx was looking to keep an incredible 61 per cent strike-rate going at Tramore. His Zalantoun, who finished second, was 10 lengths clear of third-placed Our Breff at 14/1. Dante Inferno was pulled up by Declan McDonogh over three furlongs from home when he lost his action.

(on course reporting by Donal Murphy)

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.