Caulfield Cup start on the line for Zakouma in Naturalism Stakes

Trainer Grahame Begg can breathe a little easier after Zakouma has snuck into a Caulfield Cup lead-up.

Zakouma was second emergency at acceptance time for Saturday’s Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield, but two scratchings have paved the way to a start for the six-year-old.

Having earned a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3, Begg has worked back from that race to ensure Zakouma is at peak fitness.

Resuming from a spell in the Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield last month, in which Zakouma finished a pleasing sixth, Begg is planning on only two more starts before the gelding runs at Flemington.

A win on Saturday would see Zakouma earn a ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 17, otherwise the stayer runs on October 10 in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m).

Last year’s Naturalism Stakes winner Half Yours was an emergency before scraping into the field, going on to win the Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double.

Had Zakouma missed out on a start in Saturday’s race, Begg’s back-up plan was to run in the JRA Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on September 26.

“Whatever way it worked out, his next run was going to be at 2000 metres, then one run at 2400 metres and then it’s straight into the (Melbourne) Cup,” Begg said.

“It’s worth $6 million, so why not, but if he doesn’t win the Naturalism, he will go to the Herbert Power and then straight into the Melbourne Cup.”

Zakouma has 51kg in the Caulfield Cup and is number 70 in the ballot order, but success on Saturday will see him in the field while in the Melbourne Cup he received 52kg and has a ballot exemption courtesy of his Andrew Ramsden Stakes success at Flemington in May.

Begg and the team were delighted with Zakouma’s first-up run when he came from second-last just before the turn to finish sixth, just over four lengths from the winner Kingswood.

“He’s got great lung capacity. His recovery is unbelievable,” Begg said.

“He has come on a lot since his first-up run. His coat is still not there, still a bit woolly, but it’s starting to shift and another run will bring that along.”