by Mike Curry

Typhoon Zed edged runner-up Keen Commander by a head on Saturday at Randwick to earn his first career stakes victory in the $317,524 The Galaxy (Aus-G1).

The chestnut Zeditive gelding broke alertly as the 12.30-to-1 sixth choice in the 12-horse field and stalked pacesetter Keen Commander from second.

Typhoon Zed challenged that foe in the stretch and battled gamely under jockey Tim Clark to prevail after an extended stretch duel. Typhoon Zed completed 1,100 meters (5.47 furlongs) in 1:04.12 on turf rated as dead.

Fritz’s Princess closed with a powerful surge to finish a close third.

Trained by Tim Martin for owners Ralph Johns Family, G. Punton, M. S. Haldar, Toorang Racing, and Power House Racing, Typhoon Zed finished sixth, beaten by 3 1/4 lengths by Australian star sprinter Weekend Hussler, in the Ultra Tune Oakleigh Plate (Aus-G1) on February 23 at Caulfield in his previous start.

Typhoon Zed finished second in the 2007 Thai Airways International Sprint (Aus-G2).

Bred in Australia by Gooree Park Stud, Typhoon Zed is out the Honor Grades mare Royal Diploma. He is from the female family of 1973 Triple Crown winner and two-time Horse of the Year Secretariat.

Mike Curry is Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor