Champion jumper Zed Em was one of more than 40 horses that trialled over jumps at Warrnambool on Tuesday, as they prepared for the Warrnambool May Carnival next week.
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Zed Em pleased his trainer Patrick Payne with his effort in the 2400 metre trial, as the seven-year-old attempts to win the Brierly and Grand Annual Steeplechase double next week.
“Zed Em is in great shape,” Payne said.
“He’s had a strong foundation to run in the Brierly and the Grand Annual.
“He’s got a great record around Warrnambool and the trial was just another step to remind him about the tricky track and it’s surrounds.
“We’ll take him to Cranbourne on Friday night for a flat race to have him ready for next week.”
Zed Em’s stablemate, the 2016 Grand Annual winner No Song No Supper took part in a 2800 metre steeplechase trial and will also run on the flat at Cranbourne on Friday night.
Victoria’s leading trainer Darren Weir is undecided if his jumper Now And Zen will take his place in the Grand Annual following his 2400 metre trial.
“Now And Zen will run in the Brierly,” Weir said.
“I’m not sure about the Grand Annual at this stage. It’ll all depend how he goes in the Brierly before we make a final decions on an Annual run.
Patrick Ryan’s Grand Annual Steeplechase prospects I’ll’ava’alf and John Monash put in solid efforts in their respective steeplechase trials on Tuesday.