Zaza is likely to return to Melbourne to tackle the Caulfield Cup in October after a last-gasp, but impressive, win in the Breeder's Stakes at Riccarton Park.
An elated Riccarton co-trainer Michael Pitman announced the Caulfield Cup bid after a carefully-laid plan to place her among the stakes winners came out of incubation on Saturday.
"We've set her for this race all season," Pitman said.
"Sam Kelt (from Hastings, the breeder and co-owner) wanted her to run in the Hawkes Bay Cup, but we prefer to spell her now.
"That way she can be up early in the spring, which you need to be to be any hope in the Caulfield Cup.
"We will be tackling big races like the Kelt Capital Stakes (at Hastings in September) before we go over there, but at the moment that is the plan."
Zaza was tried in Melbourne metropolitan class against fillies and mares last year from another stable, but her form fell away.
Pitman believes that a light galloping regime has been the answer and is not afraid of the competition across the Tasman.
The Zabeel four-year-old mare has had a fairly dramatic career.
While aiming at the Caulfield Cup with a series of lower-grade wins and a handicap listed stakes' event at 1600m may be ambitious, Pitman is confident she can qualify for the race.
The horse was originally trained by Paul O'Sullivan at Matamata.
However, starting gate incidents, among other factors, resulted in Zaza being transferred south to Pitman's wife Diane.
Diane Pitman gave up her licence this season to allow a Michael Pitman-Chris Harris training partnership.
Diane, however, still plays a key role in the mare's preparation.
Zaza has also had her moments in the gates in the south.
Once in she is fine if the position is secured immediately, but she can cause problems to starting assistants without quick reactions.
"Since a problem at Wingatui, which I don't want to go into again, we have given her just one practice at Riccarton and she has been fine," Pitman said.
He said the firm track surface on Saturday also helped.
After a minor mid-week crisis there were no problems with the track and, while it was firmer than usual, it was not unduly so considering the drought weather conditions in Canterbury and over much of the South Island.
The Canterbury Jockey Club believes it has solved the irrigation problems which caused the problems in the first place.
Zaza's form leading up to the race had been posted at provincial tracks, but she stepped up when required.
"I had my doubts at some stages but in the end her ability and her determination saw her through," said rider Darryl Bradley.
"She knows where the winning post is.
"She felt as if she might have been feeling the firm track at times but once straightened up she was better. Even though she only just got there I was quite confident from a long way out."
- NZPA
Racing: Last-gasp win returns Zaza to Melbourne
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