The $200,000 Listed ATC Heritage Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday featured a competitive field of up and coming colts with unbeaten Zoustar colt Ozzmosis keeping his record at a perfect three for three when holding off a fast finish from dashing grey Dundeel colt Celestial Legend.
Trained by Bjorn Baker and ridden by Rachel King, Ozzmosis won his first two starts in May and June last year attracting the interest of Newgate Farm and their partners Go Bloodstock and China Horse Club, who subsequently invested in the colt who carries the colours of Darby Racing.
Tuned up with a recent trial in preparation for Group I goals, Ozzmosis was ready to go and got his spring campaign off to a great start when sitting outside the leader Royal Tribute before kicking clear to win by more than a length.
“He had to do it the hard way and sit outside the leader,” said Bjorn Baker.
“I thought he was very strong to keep kicking. He’s got a great attitude and is a pleasure to train.”
Rachel King was thrilled with Ozzmosis and believes he has unlimited potential.
The Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) has always been the aim for Ozzmosis this spring, but with a couple of slots still to be filled for the $20million Everest connections may have a few options to ponder.
Bjorn Baker and Darby Racing already have five year-old gelding Overpass into the Everest and his younger stablemate Ozzmosis would be an interesting addition to the mix.
A $250,000 Magic Millions purchase for Darby Racing from the Sledmere Stud draft, Ozzmosis has three wins from as many starts with prizemoney topping $200,000.
Bred by China Horse Club, Ozzmosis is the second winner from No More Tears (NZ), a Group III-winning Darci Brahma mare from the family of Group II winners Hips Don’t Lie, Splintex and last season’s star juvenile Learning to Fly.
No More Tears was a $550,000 purchase for China Horse Club from the Attunga Stud draft at the 2018 National Broodmare Sale and looks to have been a good investment as she has a yearling colt to follow by Wootton Bassett (GB) and is due to foal again to Zoustar.
Ozzmosis is the 41st stakes-winner for Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar.