Zakeriz highlighted his ability with a dominant all-the-way win in the Cootamundra Cup (1600m) last month and will be chasing a second city win on Saturday.

Zakeriz was awarded a Highway Handicap win through a disqualification last year but has since proven it was no fluke with a number of credible runs.

Connections have worked out that the key to Zakeriz is letting him run.

"I think it's just been letting him run his own race. He doesn't like to be held up, just let him go and keep him balanced. That's it," Hardy said.

"The run at Albury and Gundagai (last preparation), where he was pulled out the race, he fought hard because he resented being held up. Apart from that, he's done everything right.

"He was a bit stiff first-up (this preparation) where he was wide all the way, but anyway that happens."

Those three runs, two last preparation and first-up at Randwick this time in, are the only blemishes in Zakeriz's 13-start career.

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Connections have been patient with the seven-year-old, nursing him back from injury, and he has repaid them with consistency.

"He hasn't done much wrong the last two starts, we just hope it continues, that's all," Hardy said.

Hardy and connections have again shown loyalty to jockeys, sticking with claiming apprentice Nyssa Burrells, who has ridden the horse at his past two starts.

Her three kilogram claim helps Zakeriz get in with 52.5kg.

"She can claim the three and she knows the horse. She's done the right thing so there's no point changing," Hardy said.

Zakeriz has led at his past two starts and Hardy expects him to be again up on the pace.

"Yeah, if it ain't broke, don't fix it," he said.

"It's just a matter of whether he'll run the 2000 I guess. He's worked well so it's worth having a go. You don't know until raceday. It doesn't matter how well they work, it's how well they race."

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