Racing: Zabrasive well placed to give Zabeel another classic

A punishing ride from Nash Rawiller whipped the connections of Zabrasive into a frenzy as the Derby-bound stayer rallied to win the Rosehill Guineas on Saturday.

In a thriller, the John O'Shea-trained Zabrasive and the Bart Cummings-prepared Australian Guineas winner Rock Classic waged a two-horse slugfest in the run to the winning post.

"He threw it away," Rock Classic's jockey Michael Rodd told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I thought he'd won, I thought he'd kicked back," O'Shea said.

Zabrasive had a nose to spare over Rock Classic and Rawiller, who filled in for the suspended Hugh Bowman, was full of praise.

"A very serious horse," said Rawiller. "He got lost when he hit the front at the 100m, I was a little concerned but, thankfully, he picked himself up.

"They might have a cups' horse, he is a really nice racehorse."

O'Shea issued a warning to allcomers heading for the AJC Australian Derby at Randwick on April 10.

"He is so good because he is a baby," O'Shea said. "He is a big kid and still learning. You see he got lost when he got to the front. He has a stout pedigree and it is straight to the Derby. A mile and a half will be even better for him."

Zabrasive went into the Guineas as the third favourite. The miraculous Randwick Guineas winner Shoot Out headed the betting market at $2.40.

"He pulled himself into the ground," Shoot Out's jockey Stathi Katsidis said.

"He did pull hard but kept coming," trainer John Wallace said. "He wasn't disgraced, I'll make up my mind in the next couple of days."

Cummings will do the same with Rock Classic, who, unlike Zabrasive, lacks a solid staying pedigree.

"I thought we had it won," Cummings said. "He got to the front and thought he'd done enough. He [Rawiller] pulled the stick and it came again to beat us."

For O'Shea, yesterday's group one victory was a nice pick-up on the way to the ultimate prize which awaits in the $1.3 million Derby at Randwick on April 10.

"That was very good," O'Shea said. "He has taken a nice step today and the Derby has been the aim all along."

O'Shea and close friend Jason Abrahams, of champion thoroughbreds, found Zabrasive in New Zealand a couple of seasons ago and bought the Zabeel yearling with the Derby in mind.