Michael Watt's ZABENZ (NZ) (Zabeel) stalked in second most of the way before grabbing the lead with two fences left and steadily increased his margin to the finish in Thursday's $109,600 New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase H. (NSA-G1) at Saratoga. Trained by Robert Smerdon, the five-year-old jumper crossed the wire 7 1/4 lengths in front under jockey Craig Thornton.
Sent off the 4-1 second choice in rainy conditions, Zabenz returned $10.80, $6.10 and $4.80. Double Leaf (GB) (Sadler's Wells), the longest shot in the eight-horse field at 18-1, closed from the back of the pack for second, 5 1/4 lengths clear of Flat Top (Alleged) in third. Shamrock Isle (Allen's Prospect), Tres Touche (Poles Apart) and Anofferucantrefuse (Red Ransom) were the remaining finishers. Al Skywalker (Skywalker) and It's a Giggle (Northern Baby), the 6-5 favorite, both left the course before the ninth jump.


Conditioner Jonathon Sheppard blamed the soggy turf for It's a Giggle's performance.

Zabenz, who was making his second U.S. start, completed the soft 2 3/8-mile test over the National fences in 4:28. Smerdon added blinkers for Thursday's event following Zabenz's third-place in an allowance race earlier in the meeting.

"Last time, he was fiddling around. Today, he was on his game," Thornton said. "The blinkers definitely helped. He's a serious horse."

Zabenz, who was based in Australia before shipping to America, improved to 27-5-3-4 with the victory.

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