Zonderland posted a five-length debut score going seven panels atop Kempton's synthetic surface Sept. 5, but was off the board in two subsequent juvenile starts, finishing fourth in Newmarket's Sept. 24 G3 Somerville Tattersall S. and fifth in Newbury's G3 Horris Hill S. one month later. Sixth in the Apr. 30 G1 2000 Guineas back at Newmarket on sophomore return, he earned his black-type spurs in the May 26 Listed Heron S. at Sandown, but weakened to finish eighth of nine in Chantilly's July 10 G1 Prix Jean Prat last time. The homebred bay broke on the lead and settled in a close third, racing in the wake of G1 2000 Guineas runner-up Massaat (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), after the initial exchanges here. Shaken up to seize control approaching the final quarter mile, he came under ever-increasing pressure thereafter and was comfortably on top in the latter stages, despite rolling around in front inside the final furlong, to register a career high with something in hand. Race favourite Massaat was unable to live up to earlier form and faded tamely once headed to trail home last of seven.
“I think, after last time, this confirmed the promise of his Listed win at Sandown,” commented winning trainer Clive Cox. “It was a step up here, but it was almost a confidence-booster after his run in France. He relished the quick ground and, mentally and physically, he's improving all the time. I'm delighted to win today and I'm proud to have him on my hands. Oisin [Murphy] was very much of the opinion that he got there a bit too soon, but he is blessed with a lot of ability. He's better on a track like this where he's able to use himself properly. He was not an unlucky loser in the Guineas, he just didn't handle the dip. He has an entry in the [Aug. 27 G2] Celebration Mile [at Goodwood] and that's a possibility, but we'll see how he is first and discuss it with connections. It would be nice to follow up a win in this race with the one we won [last year] with Kodi Bear.” Trainer Owen Burrows was in reflective mood after the eclipse of odds-on favourite Massaat and said, “It's very disappointing and we'll have to go back to see if we can find an issue. I'd been happy with him and, of my last five runners, I'd had four seconds and a winner so they've been pretty consistent. Paul [Hanagan] said the [firming] ground could be a reason, but we shall see.”
Like this term's G3 Fred Darling S. victress Marenko (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), Zonderland's granddam is G1 1000 Guineas victress and MG1SW European champion Russian Rhythm (Kingmambo), whose relatives include G1 Irish Oaks heroine Alydaress (Alydar) and MG1SW champion Park Appeal (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}), who in turn produced G1SW sire Cape Cross (Ire), from a family which also includes G1 1000 Guineas-winning champion Shadayid (Shadeed). Barynya has also produced a yearling colt and a colt foal, like Zonderland, both by Dutch Art (GB).
Thursday, Salisbury, Britain
TOTEPOOL SOVEREIGN S.-G3, £75,000, SAL, 8-11, 3yo/up, c/g, 8fT, 1:40.35, g/f.
1–@ZONDERLAND (GB), 119, c, 3, by Dutch Art (GB)
1st Dam: Barynya (GB), by Pivotal (GB)
2nd Dam: Russian Rhythm, by Kingmambo
3rd Dam: Balistroika, by Nijinsky II
(70,000gns Ylg '14 TATOCT). O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Clive Cox; J-Oisin Murphy. £42,532. Lifetime Record: 7-3-0-0, $107,960. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Master the World (Ire), 126, g, 5, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Zadalla (GB), by Zaha. (€38,000 Wlg '11 GOFNOV; €32,000 Ylg '12 GOFORB; 15,000gns 2yo '13 TAJUL). O-K Quinn/C Benham; B-A Hanahoe (IRE); T-David Elsworth. £16,125.
3–Tupi (Ire), 126, c, 4, Tamayuz (GB)–Carioca (Ire), by Rakti (GB). (100,000gns Ylg '13 TAOCT). O-Michael Kerr-Dineen & Martin Hughes; B-Kabansk Ltd & Rathbarry Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. £8,070.
Margins: 1 3/4, 1HF, HD. Odds: 4.00, 5.50, 33.00.
Also Ran: Tony Curtis (GB), Master Carpenter (Ire), Belgian Bill (GB), Massaat (Ire). Scratched: Tullius (Ire), Sovereign Debt (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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