Ziggy's The Man

 There is no denying Ziggy Willie is in the form of his career of late, with “the man of the moment” making headlines for Team Pfieffer on a very warm weekend of Summer racing.

An impressive brown horse with a rockstar forelock and long stride, it is hard to imagine Ziggy Willie is one to fly under the radar - particularly coming off an impressive win at Canterbury the start prior - yet the gelding was unwanted by punters on course at Rosehill and started on the middle line of betting as a $15 chance.

Godolphin galloper Reincarnate held the majority of wagering to hold favouritism at the skinny odds of $2.80 with tipsters only having eyes for the Pride-trained Painte (8.50) as the possible danger.

Favourite backers were immediately under pressure when Pfieffer’s superb galloper made the most of another textbook ride from Tye Angland to angle into the clear on the turn and begin hunting the leaders, a good two lengths ahead of Reincarnate who was hard ridden to stay in touch.

“It was another ideal ride from Angland, he got him into the perfect trail and was in the best spot from that nice gate the whole way” commented Pfieffer.

Despite appearing to have a “bit of a flat spot” passing the 300m, Ziggy Willie accelerated with the winning momentum to draw away from his opposition over the concluding stages, allowing Angland to spin the whip in his hand and ease the gelding across the line.

“He’s loving the sprint distances this time in, we have him worked out and he is just racing so consistently”.

Whilst Ziggy Willie would have been given “little excuse” not to have run well from such an ideal run, Angland was far from dismissive of the gelding’s effort.

“He had the right run but he put them away with his turn of foot; he had them beat at the furlong (200m)” said the winning rider.

“Once he got to the front he had a bit of a look but he was just too good for them”.

Ziggy’s past six starts have heralded three wins, a second and two thirds from Canterbury to as far north as Eagle Farm, adding the bulk of the gelding’s career prize money haul of over $260,000.

“It’s always a thrill to get a winner on a Saturday in Sydney. The vibe is great and the stable enjoys every minute of the spotlight” said Pfieffer.

The trainer was joined on course by his four-year-old daughter Payton, who is quickly becoming a source of good luck with her brief racetrack appearances often heralding a winner for the team.

“She’s my little lucky charm” he said, as Payton shied away from Richard Haynes’ post-race interview.

Although a little camera shy, Payton Pfieffer will have plenty of time to practice her winning speech with Pfieffer’s stable “on fire” of late, more so if Ziggy Willie hits the track again this summer.