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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Winning Stack newcomer creates good impression

Fri 22nd Dec 2017, 18:26

ZihbaZihba
© Photo Healy Racing

Zihba was the second winning newcomer at Dundalk today, as the Fozzy Stack trained colt put in a fine performance to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden under jockey Bill Lee.

The well supported 15/8 second favourite and son of Choisir raced prominently throughout and in the end moved past 85 rated Port Lions (8/11 favourite) inside the final furlong before eventually scoring a length and a quarter win.

Lee later commented “he did it well; first time out you would always be a bit worried that they would be a bit green but he was very professional.

“He jumped and travelled away beautiful through the race, and turning in I always thought I had Pat (Smullen, on Port Lions) covered. He picked up beautifully and went to the line well.

“He’s going to improve plenty and is a nice horse for the future. I only hit him one crack coming up the stands side to make sure he was in full concentration but he won with a bit in hand.”

Zihba holds an entry in next May's Irish 2,000 Guineas.

Quotes from Alan Magee

1st
15/8
Tote €3.30 €1.30
2nd
1.25L
8/11Fav
€1.02
3rd
6L
11/1
€3.20
4th
2.5L
25/1
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.