Zoustar's Lightsaber to Target the VRC Sires' Produce

Mark Smith - Wednesday February 3

The Group II VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes is on the radar for the Peter Moody-trained Lightsaber after the son of Zoustar overcame a three-wide-trip to open his winning account over 1300m at Sandown-Hillside on Wednesday.

Lightsaber opens his winning account at Sandown  (Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Like Nolan, the Blueblood Thoroughbreds colour bearer was hung out on a limb from his outside barrier. Allowed to slide up to a challenging position on the turn, Lightsaber did not shirk his task in the closing stages. He held the challenge of Secret Agenda’s three-quarter brother Frontman (Redoute’s Choice) by three-quarters of a length with a length back to Seacole (Not A Single Doubt) in third.

Lightsaber was making his second trip to the races after finishing second at his debut at Geelong and Moody said he should be unbeaten.

“Only greenness cost him that day. He has shown nice improvement at home and brought that to the races,” Moody said.

“It looked like they would gas him if he pressed on so I think he pulled the right rein. You never like to see them facing the breeze, but with the even tempo, he got into a nice rhythm. He quickened through the dip, and Luke had to edge him around the turn and keep him going. When the penny drops, he is a nice horse with a nice race in him.

Lightsaber - Luke Nolan  (Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

“We will take him home and see how he pulls up.

“Thanks to Blueblood Thoroughbreds and their team of owners. This is the first horse we have had at the races for them.

“The Sires’ Produce is a month away. If he does well, he probably won’t need another run before a race like that.”    

Lightsaber has already returned over half the $100,000 shelled out by Blueblood Thoroughbreds at the 2020 Ready 2 Race Sale in October.

The son of Zoustar had been pinhooked by JCS Racing for $80,000 out of the Aquis Farm draft at the 2020 Classic Yearling Sale.

Lightsaber pinhooked for $80,000 at the Inglis Classic

Bred by Emirates Park, Lightsaber is the second foal and first to race out of the unraced Dream Ahead (USA) mare Dream Cirque.

A half-sister to stakes-placed winner Distant Rock, Dream Cirque is a granddaughter of Fastnet Rock’s sister Cirque du Soleil.

Dream Cirque has a yearling colt by Pariah, a colt foal by Capitalist and was covered by Tassort last spring.

It has been an excellent start to the day for Emirates Park whose homebred Fastnet Rock colt Hilal made a winning debut at Randwick.

It is also a timely result for the vendors of the 15 yearlings by Zoustar catalogued for the Inglis Classic and the 22 headed to the Inglis Premier.

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Switch (Rs0mw) 1300m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Good(4) Time: 1:17.92
1
Lightsaber
- 2c Zoustar (AUS) x Dream Cirque (AUS) (Dream Ahead (USA))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: L Nolen 58
2
0.8
Frontman
- 2c Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Negotiate (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: M Zahra 58
3
1.8
Seacole
- 2f Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Registered Nurse (USA) (Unbridled's Song (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jye McNeil 56
4
1.9
Cheerful Legend
- 2c Shalaa (IRE) x Jemison (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: J D Sadler Rdr: Jack Hill 58
5
2.0
Micro
- 2c Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Miniature (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: D Oliver 58
6
2.4
Italian Poet
- 2g Zacinto (GB) x Quest (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: M Ellerton & S Zahra Rdr: Jamie Kah 58
7
3.2
Tatsuro
- 2c Maurice (JPN) x Sister Souss (AUS) (Husson (ARG))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: G Boss 58
8
4.2
Grinzinger Knight
- 2c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Romantic Moon (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Damian Lane 58
9
9.2
Gulingi
- 2c Wandjina (AUS) x Total Response (NZ) (Kheleyf (USA))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Lewis German 58
More Reading...
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.