Zayydani (NZ) (Savabeel) has been a special horse for trainers Ben and JD Hayes and they are hoping she can continue her great form for the stable in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday.

Bred and raced by Brent and Cherry Taylor of Trelawney Stud, Zayydani has posted some important milestones for the fledgling training partnership.

“She was our first winner for the partnership, out first stakes winner, and now she is our first Group Two winner,” Ben Hayes told RSN927.

“She has been a very special horse for the stable, and for JD and I.

“She is a pleasure to train and has only improved as she has gotten older, we have had a lot of fun with her.”

The daughter of Savabeel was victorious last start in the Gr.2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m).

“It was a fantastic ride by Luke (Nolen, jockey),” Hayes said. “We rode her for luck and we got all the luck and it is great to win a race like that. It is a big thrill for JD and I.

“She has come through the run in great order and we can’t fault her here. She worked excellent on Tuesday. We will need to ride her for luck again, she has drawn barrier one.”

With an improving track at Ballarat, Hayes is looking forward to his mare competing on a firm surface.

“I think the drier the better for her,” he said. “Her form on wet tracks is good, she definitely handles it, but her dry track form is the most superior. I am hoping the track is a Good4.

“She gets in nicely (on Saturday). Being a mare, she gets the mare’s allowance. I think it is a very competitive Ballarat Cup, there are some nice horses.

“I think she has shown nice improvement, so hopefully we can get another win with her and get a nice win for Trelawney Stud and Brent and Cherry.”