By MIKE DILLON
We asked Roger James' partner Sally if she had seen him as emotional as he was after Zonda turned on one of the best Ellerslie performances of the year to win yesterday's $50,000 King's Plate.
"Well, yes, once or twice. Perhaps after he won his first Derby."
We asked James the same question.
"If I have, it wasn't over a horse."
James was in tears as soon as Zonda dashed over the finish line and broke down again when being interviewed for television.
"What a horse.
"I've waited three years for this," he said through tears.
"What we've been through with him this is very special."
Rider Vinny Colgan was as gob-smacked as James.
"He's a freak. He just doesn't stop."
Colgan looked to ride a cool race, sitting Zonda back second and waiting until into the home straight to unleash the devastating sprint that swept him past the rest of the field.
But he admitted he was worried at the 800m.
"When he won the Derby he sprinted three times during the race."
As dashing as Zonda was in his second race in nearly three years, James is adamant that racegoers will see a better horse in the group one $150,000 The Oaks Classic on the final day of the carnival on January 2.
This was no ordinary win.
If New Zealand currently lacks scores of horses capable of taking on the best at group one level in Australia, Zonda is capable at any level.
After the Oaks Classic the Australian Cup must be a tempting target.
Racing: Brilliant Zonda brings both tears and cheers
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