He got there right on the line to win by a short head, with a game Storm Boy ($1.90 fav) only three-quarters of a length away in third.
“It was a big day for both of them,” said Godolphin’s trainer James Cummings, who has won five out of six Runs to the Rose.
“There had been a bit of criticism this week, and I told Zac you’re only as good as your next Saturday.
“It was a big day for him, and he stepped up and showed he can handle that pressure, as the horse did.
“Traffic Warden has really asserted himself now as a very serious colt for the spring.
“It’s obviously like not everything went ideal for other horses in the race, admittedly, but he savaged the line.
“I think he’s a better horse now as a three-year-old and he will certainly be taking some beating in the Golden Rose.”
Sunshine In Paris wins another Sheraco
Annabel Neasham and owner John Camilleri have had to wait a year for The Everest to roll back around with Sunshine In Paris but are now counting down the next five weeks.
Sunshine In Paris made it back-to-back wins in the Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday and moved into an $8 Everest chance, in the process beating Joliestar, which went from Everest favourite to a $10 chance.
“We were here last year, and then she got the leg injury a couple of weeks out and missed out [on the Everest],” Camilleri said. “She has come out and beaten Joliestar and if she pulls up all right we will be there on Everest day this year.”
The race became a pressure test when the saddle slipped on Belclare, causing it to bolt along in front and open up a big lead flying through the first 800m. The main chances were chasing a long way out, and Sunshine In Paris ($3.80) did it better than $1.80 favourite Joliestar.
She took until the final few strides to rein in Mumbai Muse ($18) to win by a short neck, with another 1¾ lengths back to Joliestar.
“She is so good fresh. We will take her home and bring her back to the races on Everest day,” Neasham said.
“You looked at her and you knew she was going to take some improvement today, but my goodness gracious. That’s a statement.”
Tommy Berry was delighted with the way Sunshine In Paris was there for the fight when the race had to be won in the final 100m.
“When I first let down I thought, well they can’t beat me because they don’t go any quicker than what I’m going,” he said. “I just had to pick up Mumbai Muse, who I know very well and who is very tough.
“But it was like a target was put on her and she ran in towards her. She copped a smack over the head at the 100. She was just terrific.”
Encap’s turn comes around again in Theo Marks
Gary Portelli hopes Encap can break his once-a-year win pattern when he heads to November’s Golden Eagle as The Theo Marks Stakes winner from Rosehill on Saturday.
Encap’s only other win had come in the Ming Dynasty Stakes on the same day 12 months ago. He stormed home as $7 chance to beat favourite Bases Loaded ($4) by a long head, with Boom Torque ($6.50) getting clear late to run third 1¼ lengths away.
“He’s run a couple of seconds and thirds at this level, and it’s hard to get that next win when you win your maiden in the group three level,” Portelli said.
“You know we’re aiming toward a Golden Eagle, so I think we’re in good order right now.”
Lady Shenandoah gets a glow-up
Premier trainer Chris Waller might have the best two fillies in the country and is likely split them to different group 1 targets after a returning Lady Shenandoah won the Ming Dynasty Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
Like unbeaten filly Autumn Glow, which is the Flight Stakes favourite, Lady Shenandoah has a stakes victory over boys but her target might be the Thousand Guineas in Melbourne rather than the Flight Stakes in three weeks.
Jay Ford brought Lady Shenendoah with a powerful charge tooverhaul Mayfair ($4 fav) to win by a half-neck, with Snack Bar ($13) a long neck away third to give the Waller year four winners at Rosehill.
The win margin was only small but the Snitzel filly is still new.
“She’s all class,” Ford said. “She only had the one trial and got a little bit tiredbut she’ll improve with more racing experience.
“When she got there she didn’t know how to put them away, but she was still good enough to win.”
Awaygoesthebunny away with the money in Highway
Scone trainer Brett Cavanough was a long way from Rosehill when he landed a plunge with Awaygoesthebunny in the Highway Handicap.
As much as $26 was bet about Awaygoesthebunny before he started at $8.50 and stormed home from back in the field for a half-length victory over Agirlsbestfriend ($8).
“I have done the job they wanted me to do with it – win a Highway – but I think he is a bit better than that,” said Cavanough from the Cairns Amateurs carnival.
“We will just find another race for him but he might be Country Championships type of horse next year.”
Unusual Legacy chasing Metrop dream
Premier trainer Chris Waller shares in the ownership of Unusual Legacy, and the emerging stayer raced into Metropolitan contention with an impressive win at Rosehill.
Kerrin McEvoy was back last on Unusual Legacy ($2.20 fav) coming to the turn, but he quickened to reel in leader Forecaster ($8) and win by a length.
“He has basically been working back from a Metropolitan. That’s the big target,” Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said.
“He quickened up and did a seriously good job of picking up that leader because he got a bit further back than what we would have ideally liked.”
