Six O’Clock News (NZ) has struck form at just the right time for the G2 Wellington Cup (2400m) this Saturday, January 28.

The tough Zabeel gelding flew home to finish a close second to Spiro in last year’s Wellington Cup and connections are confident he can go one better this year.

Six O’Clock News (7g Zabeel – Maurine by Harbor Prince) returned to form with a brave victory in the G3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) last weekend.  It was his first win since the NZ St Leger Trial in February 2009.

Visiting Sydney jockey Nash Rawiller also believes he has the ability to back up and hold form into the Wellington Cup.  “We were three deep with cover and he found plenty in the last 100 metres,” he said.  “The horse felt better than when I rode him last year.”

Bred by the Bax family and Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan, Six O’Clock News was purchased by Stuart Hale from Blandford Lodge at the NZB Ready to Run Sale for $110,000.

His dam Maurine (NZ) was a two-time winner of the G1 Avondale Cup and at stud has also left the stakes winners Anatomy (Thunder Gulch) and Aeroforce One (Marscay).

Anatomy will be represented by a Danehill Dancer colt (Lot 46) at the NZB Premier yearling sale commencing January 30.  Luminary is another daughter of Maurine represented at the same sale.  Her colt by High Chaparral. is listed a Lot 300.

Zabeel will be represented by 33 Premier lots at the NZB National yearling sales including:

Lot 147 – Close relation to Group 1 winners Dizelle (Zabeel) and Vengeance of Rain (Zabeel) from the Danehill mare Danelish.

Lot 237 – Filly from the Group 1 Sydney Cup winning mare Honor Babe (Honor Grades).