ZAFIRO A GOOD RUNNER-UP IN TOWCESTER FEATURE

Ian Fortune

One of Susie Sapphire’s most talented sons, Syd Zafiro, recently changed hands, joining Paul Matthews after the sale of the brilliant young tracker to Tony Dean.

And he was immediately put to work, reaching the final of the Genco Group Juvenile Classic at Towcester. Sadly, the 11-8 favourite to land the £5,000 prize encountered early traffic in yesterday’s decider, eventually finishing a good runner-up.

Slick Sentinel, a litter brother to Broadstrand Syd, flashed from traps and was dominant throughout but the run of Syd Zafiro in second was further evidence that he is going to be a serious tracker going forward.

He made a moderate start from trap five and had no room to race into the turn where he was forced wide. He recovered well, showing superb pace to go second but it wasn’t meant to be. The winner is clearly useful, posting 28.77 in victory, but one suspects Syd Zafiro is destined for bigger things in the future. We look forward to seeing where he goes next for his new connections.