Whips cracking early for Zoustar colt

Jockey Brett Prebble was made to earn his winning percentage aboard Cracksman at Kyneton on Thursday.

The beautiful Zoustar colt was sent out a $3 race favourite, but punters had a scare when Prebble pulled the whip down the back straight in the 1850m maiden event.

"He was travelled beautifully and then he just stopped concentrating so I had to give a few reminders as to why we were here for," Prebble said.

"He gave me a terrific feel and I think he will make a nice horse, but I think for him to fulfil his best he made a gear change that makes him four pounds lighter by gelding him.

"In the straight he sprinted hard and then just stopped, as he seems to have things other than racing on his mind."

Danny O'Brien's assistant trainer Ben Gleeson said he was concerned when watching Prebble go for the stick so early.

"I was surprised, but he did travel into the race nicely after that and he seem to have the race in his keeping even though he wasn't applying himself fully," Gleeson said.

"He is a stayer of some promise."

Pic by Racing Photos