In the Zone
Fri 17 Jan 2025
Winner 2 of 2025: SOUTH OMO ZONE, trained by Olly Murphy and ridden by Sean Bowen. ‘Cheese & Cider Race Night 16th April Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)’ over 1m7f at Wincanton.
Last seen at Hereford in January 2024, where he was an impressive winner of a Bumper. Fast forward 367 days, South Omo Zone returned an eye-catching winner, now in our silks and over hurdles, at Wincanton.
With poor visibility, due to heavy fog on the day, we were left guessing and relying on the commentator for most of the race. The short-priced favourite and eventual second jumped off keenly, which allowed our son of Court Cave to settle nicely into second. Turning for home, it was our silks which emerged first from the gloom, when jumping into the lead over the second last. South Omo Zone stretched further clear inside the final furlong, winning by an impressive 8 ½ lengths. The performance of our lightly raced gelding could leave plenty of scope for improvement – having been his only fifth start overall.
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Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/results/2025-01-16/wincanton/1325
Timeform rated his impressive victory with a 115, commenting on the race: "A bumper winner for Anthony Charlton 12 months earlier, made a winning transition to hurdling starting out for another yard, and did so pretty smoothly too, from what was visible; chased leader, led on bridle approaching 2 out, in command soon after, pushed out until close home; open to improvement provided he can stand his racing better."
An excited Olly Murhpy spoke to us after the race: "Absolutely delighted to see South Omo Zone make a winning start for his owners this afternoon. From what we were able to see - due to bad visibility - it was a very taking performance. He jumped and travelled well and picked up nicely from the back of the second last. Sean Bowen was very pleased with the horse, his attitude, as well as his jumping. He is going to be a lovley Chaser in time. A fantastic start - Well done everyone, he could have a bright future."
Read what Syndicate Manager Tim Palin said about his victory: "Well done everyone, absolutely delighted with this victory. He did it very authoriatively, didn't he. The odds on favourite was very, probably too free throughout the race, which helped us - but a very taking performance nontheless. I will speak to our trainer, and then decide if we go again under a penalty, or rather up in grade. But for now - well done to a very pleasing victory, and an exciting young Chaser in the making."
Find the official photo gallery here: https://www.francescaaltoft.co.uk/wincanton