2025 WJ McKell Cup: Jeff Penza rides Je Zous for Chris Waller
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Prolific hoop Jeff Penza and champion trainer Chris Waller will be out to orchestrate another feature race heist with promising import Je Zous in Saturday's Listed WJ McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Waller has called upon one of his most reliable sources to pilot several of his key chances on home turf, including his lightly-raced new addition, with many of Sydney's big guns either on holidays or riding on Group 1 Tatt's Tiara day at Eagle Farm.
Penza and Waller have made for a formidable combination for many years with the hoop riding 80 winners for the champion conditioner – the second-most of any trainer he has ridden for.
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It was only recently when the dynamic duo combined for a shock stakes win in May when $61 outsider Summer Flame scored an upset win in the Listed Denise's Joy Stakes at Scone.
'We've had a terrific run together,' Penza said.
'It's always a pleasure riding his horses.
'They are always extremely well trained and tractable.
'Chris at Rosehill is always going to have plenty of runners and he always looks after me on provincial Saturdays.'
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Je Zous is only in her first preparation in Australia after racing with success in Europe, winning at Group 3 level in the Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes at Gowran Park last year.
The Waller stable has indicated Je Zous could be a potential Caulfield Cup hopeful and the Zoustar mare could take a significant step in that direction in the McKell Cup for which she is rated a $26 chance.
'She looks to have some really nice form overseas,' Penza said.
'She is only having her second run in Australia obviously and is second up there on Saturday.
'It was short of her best the other day (1400m) so the step up to 2000m should suit her.
'It sounds like she is a horse they have some time for.'
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Penza has six rides in total for Waller across the card.
A rider of more than 2300 winners, the talented hoop is closing the half century mark for this season and has a strong book at Moruya to prepare for Saturday's card.
The 55-year-old is enjoying life in the saddle as much as ever.
'My body is feeling really good,' Penza said.
'If you don't enjoy it, you won't do it very well but I am enjoying it. I am very happy.
'I had a bit of a lean trot there for a while but it comes and goes and I think the last month or two months have been really good.
'Hopefully I can continue that into next season and have a good season again.'
Penza will be in line to chase a Cup double on Saturday's program with the experienced hoop set to connect with Speycaster ($6.50) in the Irresistible Pools Benchmark 90 Stayer's Cup (2400m).
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Speycaster's last win came in the same race last year after finishing seventh in the Listed Winter Cup the previous start. He was fourth in the same lead-up this year.
'Speycaster put in an improved performance last start and the 2400m should suit him,' Penza said.
'He did win this race last year.'
Penza also combines with Maori Chief (race 3), Changing Colours (race 4), Vanessi (race 5) and Lenapi Vibe (race 8).
Bookies rate Changing Colours ($4.80) as the best of those chances, with the daughter of The Autumn Sun set to return to Sydney after a run of three straight close seconds in Melbourne, the most recent behind Suances at Sandown.
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'Changing Colours has had those three seconds in a row down in Melbourne so she is knocking on the door,' Penza said.
'I don't know her too well given she has been racing in Melbourne but her form is very consistent so hopefully she can step up in Sydney.'
Maori Chief ($14) can reap the benefits of an inside draw in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m) while Vanessi ($15) is second-up in the TAB Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m).
Lenape Vibe ($41) is an outside chance in Asahi Super Dry Benchmark 78 Handicap (1800m).
Originally published as 2025 WJ McKell Cup: Jockey Jeff Penza to ride Je Zous for trainer Chris Waller
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