Michael Hellyer wins at Eagle Farm on the Kelso Wood-trained Zero Rock. Pic: Peter Bull
Source: The Courier-Mail

EAGLE Farm trainer Kelso Wood has altered plans for classy mare Zero Rock and will chase black type in the Travel Associates Classic at Doomben on Saturday.

Wood originally planned to run Zero Rock in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes on Saturday week, but was tempted by the set weight scale for the Listed 1200m sprint.

The Danzero five-year-old finished second to Burdekin Blues in last year’s George Moore and Wood has not ruled out backing up the mare the following week.

“We had a think about it and she’s nicely weighted this week,” Wood said. “It looks a hot field, but she’s a good mare and has done well since her first-up win.”

Zero Rock was having her first start since December last year when she blitzed the field in a 1000m open sprint at Eagle Farm. Wood’s apprentice Michael Hellyer is suspended so top jockey Glenn Colless takes over.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.

End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

The Classic has attracted 27 nominations including the Peter Snowden-trained Kanzan and NSW mare Phenomenal Lass.

Trainer Paul Murray said Phenomenal Lass would only travel north if there was no chance of rain.

The Country Reel four-year-old has been in good form, winning before finishing a close second at Rosehill last Saturday.

“She carried 57kg on Saturday and it was only the weight that beat her,” Murray said. “She deserves a chance in this type of race, she’s been placed in Listed company before and it would be good to get some black type for connections.”