Zephyron (3 Zabeel – Diamond Like, by Danehill) was the most expensive yearling sold in Australia or New Zealand in 2010 when fetching $2 million and he repaid $6,825 of that when winning his Maiden at Cranbourne on Friday.
Judging by the manner of victory Zephyron will be earning more for his connections as well. Allowed to settle off the speed by Michael Rodd, Zephyron was pulled out wide in the straight and he powered home over the top of older horses to win the $12,000 SRS Motors Cranbourne Maiden (1300m) by 1 1/4 lengths at his first start this preparation.
Trained at Flemington by Mark Kavanagh for John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds, Zephyron showed promise in two runs earlier this year in Melbourne and he certainly looks better suited over further distance.
Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan at their Cambridge Stud, Zephyron has a half-sister by High Chaparral being offered by Cambridge at the NZB Premier Yearling Sale in January, the fourth living foal of Diamond Like, stakes winner of the Lightning Hcp at Trentham and a sister to Gr 1 winner Viking Ruler and Gr 2 winner Kempinsky.