Gwenda Hopes Her Warrior Can Finally Win A Battle

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday May 17, 2008

By CHRIS ROOTS

GRAND Zulu gave Gwenda Markwell her biggest moment in racing in the 2004 BMW (2400m), but now she just wants to win one more race with the fallen star, who lines up in the Group One Doomben Cup (2020m) today.

The son of Grand Lodge beat Makybe Diva and Mummify in the BMW and had the world at his feet but since then he has travelled the world without a victory.

He went to Hong Kong but never acclimatised and has raced in three states since returning to Australia, coming closest to winning in the O'Shea Stakes in Brisbane last year, when he ran Pentathon to three-quarters of a length.

"He is not the same horse as he was before going to Hong Kong," Markwell admits.

A stomach complaint kept Grand Zulu off the scene for 18 months when he returned from Hong Kong and he has raced in black-type races 18 out of 19 times since.

He ran a promising third in the Wagga Cup (2000m) last start, which tempted Markwell into another Brisbane winter campaign.

"He's never not been competitive but he lacks that edge you need to win at the top level," Markwell said.

"He always puts in and his work has been been good leading into (the Doomben Cup) but he is a little dour and the 2000m might be a bit short for him.

"He is the kind of horse you want to win because he did so much for me. It's just a big pity we never got to see the best of him."

Grand Zulu was rated a $26 chance with TAB Sportsbet yesterday in a market headed by Scenic Shot and Eskimo Queen at $5 with Viewed on the second line at $5.50.

Markwell will also have Miss Pageantry at Doomben for the Listed Glenhogan Park Stakes (1350m) after her first-up sixth in the Silk Stocking (1200m) at the Gold Coast two weeks ago.

"She's looking for a mile now but her class will carry her a long way on Saturday," Markwell said.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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