Saturday’s LR Caloundra Cup winner Zennista is one of three (NZ) bred stakes winners by former Japanese shuttler Zenno Rob Roy.

Zennista (5m Zenno Rob Roy – Zarnitsa by Maroof) claimed her fourth black-type victory with a dominant two-length victory on the Sunshine Coast.  “The pace was genuine and she was always travelling comfortably,” jockey Damien Browne said.  “She got into a lovely rhythm and was going to win a long way out.”

Zennista (NZ) won the LR Rangitikei Cup, LR Waganui Challenge Stakes, G3 Tauranga Stakes before crossing the Tasman for a G2 Brisbane Cup placing.

Shadai Stallion shuttler Zenno Rob Roy (Sunday Silence) stood a sole season at Java Lodge in 2006.  He was booked to fly to the Matamata stud again the following year but was stranded in Australia due to the E.I. crisis.

The 2004 Japan Horse of the Year has also sired Enjin Number Nine (LR MRC Manfred Stakes) and Cong’er (LR Karaka Classic) among 16 winners from 30 starters in that lone Kiwi conceived crop.

Zennista is from a half-sister to the LR Cambridge Fillies’ Stakes winner Chartreuse (St Petersburg).  Their second dam Najaba (Touching Wood) was a Listed winner of the South Island Breeders’ Stakes and was placed in the G2 NZ Breeders’ Stakes.

Bred by John Berger, Zennista was a $20,000 buy from Oxford Thoroughbreds at NZ Bloodstock’s 2009 Festival Sale and has now earned $390,000.

Awapuni based trainer Lisa Latta will consider backing up in the Queensland Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm next Saturday.  A spring campaign in Melbourne is also likely with a race like the G2 Matriarch Stakes at Flemington on the radar.

– Karl Patterson