Zakouma bids for Cup ballot exemption

The Melbourne Cup qualifier at Flemington was never in the planning for Zakouma until his last start effort at Flemington 

After three successive wins, Zakouma went to Flemington on Anzac Day and was expected to take out the benchmark 100 2000m contest in which he was a heavily backed favourite. 

But the race turned into a nightmare for the Grahame Begg-trained galloper who was locked away on the fence near the tail and did not see daylight until late in the race. 

Instead of heading to the paddock and then prepare for a spring campaign, it has been decided to press on with Zakouma to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday. 

The Andrew Ramsden is the second of 10 races that offer a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in November. 

Begg said Zakouma's last start had been effectively a 2000m barrier trial, but the set-weights conditions of the contest do concern Begg as Zakouma, who has untapped potential, is weighted the same as Sydney Cup winner Changingoftheguard. 

"He's got to go the distance and he's not well-weighted under the conditions," Begg said. 

"I don't understand why it's a set-weights race. 

"Outside three-year-old Classic races, I can't think of one, while the winner gets free passage into the Melbourne Cup and then goes back to a handicap, so why not make this a handicap." 

Zakouma has yet to race beyond 2000m since joining Begg's yard after starting his career with Pat Carey and Harris Walker at Mornington. 

In his three-year-old days, Zakouma ran second over 2200m at Bairnsdale and fourth over 2400m at Caulfield before moving to Begg. 

What Begg wants to see on Saturday, is a steady tempo with Zakouma ridden patiently as the gelding bids to get the trip. 

"Changingoftheguard rolls forward, Sir Kingsford rolls forward, so I think they'll go a good enough clip and normally at the 700 (metres) in these races, the wave starts coming," Begg said. 

"What we'll try to do is put him to sleep, give him some clean air, and give him one crack at them. 

"Whether he's up to the task and can run the journey, that's something we'll find out on Saturday. 

"But he goes to the race in good order."