Zakeriz made it three wins in his last four starts, with an all-the-way effort in the Adams Kenneally White Ted Ryder Cup Prelude (1600m).

After winning the Cootamundra and Queanbeyan Cups in the past six weeks, Zakeriz dictated terms in the small field.

Wagga trainer Chris Hardy couldn't be happier with the only horse in his stable.

"We're really pleased with him," Hardy said.

"He's been a pretty good horse for me."

Scratchings cut the feature of the day down to four runners.

However apprentice Nyssa Burrells and Zakeriz weren't to be deterred.

Instead he took up his favourite role in front and never really let his rivals into the picture.

"You never know in a small field what is going to happen and there are no certainties in racing but I was hoping he would lead and be out of trouble," Hardy said.

"He's got plenty of fight in him."

READ MORE

The drifting $3.20 favourite went on to down Nephews And Nieces ($4.80) by almost two lengths.

Zakeriz provided Hardy with his first winner in over four years last year, and subsequently won his next two in his return from a tendon injury.

He came back well in his next preparation, with three unplaced efforts but after recovering from a back complaint has turned into one of the Southern District's more impressive campaigners this time in with three wins and a second from seven starts.

His only unplaced efforts have been in Sydney.

"He's raced well, last time in he had a couple of runs that were a bit of a problem but he's got over that," Hardy said. "He ran a good race here on Cup day but hurt his back so I had to put him away for a little while.

"Now he's going on as normal.

"I've jumped him up in distance as we've gone along this time in and that's been the only difference."

Believing Zakeriz is best suited at the mile, Hardy is now looking to head to the $34,000 Ted Ryder Cup on Christmas Eve.

"That's the intention but we will have to see what happens between now and then," he said.

"We don't have to travel anywhere but I imagine it will be a lot harder."

Zakeriz was the only local to taste across the eight-race card and the overall riding honours were split with Brendan Ward, Amy McLucas and Brodie Loy all snaring winning doubles.

Keith Dryden was the only trainer to strike twice with Gambler's Quest and Shores Of Avalon both successful.