There were several blue-blood maiden winners at Gosford on Thursday, but none were more impressive than this $1.25million Zoustar colt who made an auspicious debut.
Trained by John O’Shea and sporting the Rosemont Stallion Alliance colours, Schwarz had impressed in a recent barrier trial win and was expected to kick off his career with a win.
Partnered by Tommy Berry, Schwarz ran as a short priced favourite should, settling smoothly in the lead and dashing clear down the running to win the 1200m contest by more than three lengths.
“He’s a lovely colt and we expected him to do that today,” said Tommy Berry.
“He got into a lovely rhythm, just wanted to stargaze a bit in the straight so I made him find the line and he had a lot left in the tank.”
A $1.25million Magic Millions purchase from the Widden Stud draft for Rosemont-Victorian Alliance/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/David Redvers Bloodstock, Schwarz was bred by Widden in partnership.
He is the first living foal of Group II winning Not a Single Doubt mare Summer Sham, who traces back to blue hen Shantha’s Choice, the dam of Grouyp I winners Redoute’s Choice, Manhattan Rain and Platinum Scissors.
Summer Sham is married to Zoustar and her two year-old filly by him sold for $800,000 at Inglis Easter this year to Cambridge Stud. She has a yearling colt to follow and produced another colt this spring, so Widden will be cheering Schwarz on to much better wins and hopefully Black Type!
Schwarz was not the only promising Zoustar winner on Thursday with the Cambridge Stud owned three year-old filly Lovazou breaking her maiden at Geelong for the Danny O’Brien stable.
Group III placed from two starts in stakes races earlier this year, Lovazou appreciated a drop in grade to canter home an easy two and a half length winner in the 1143m maiden with a return to Black Type sure to be in the planning.
A $400,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Kia Ora Stud draft, Lovazou is the second winner from Lovani, a Group II place three-quarter sister by Lonhro to stakes-winner Holbein from Group III winning import Carribean Sunset (IRE).
Widden Stud’s Zoustar is currently the leading Australian sire by winners with 49 on the board which is five in advance of I Am Invincible.