Zoustar
narrowly missed posting a new stakes-winner on Saturday at Rosehill when Mizzy
came up short by a nose when second in the Group III ATC Ming Dynasty, while
his two star colts Zousain and Lean Mean Machine showed they were on track for
spring when participating in a raceday barrier trial for notorious non starter
Chautauqua.
Sadly for the connections of Chautauqua, he again chose not to jump, leaving
the gates at his leisure some 10 lengths behind the field, but the picture was
a much brighter for Zoustar's young guns, both prepared by Chris Waller.
Zousain won the trial with Chautauqua eventually tacking on to charge home for second, while Lean Mean Machine hit the line well for fourth.
James McDonald partnered Zousain and offered the following comments.
"Lovely
horse going the right way. He pulled up having a really good blow so he'll
improve a lot off that."
Chris Waller was delighted with the ruin.
"He'll
go to the Run To The Rose, then the Golden Rose, Coolmore Stud Stakes He was a
little sharper than the stablemates so you'd probably expect him to be our pick
in the Run To The Rose. The set weights and penalties scale will suit him the
best of ours too," he said.
Lean Mean Machine was ridden by Tye Angland.
"Good
trial. Nice horse that had a decent blow so he's got more improvement to come,"
he said.
Lean Mean Machine will also look towards the Caulfield Guineas.
"He's probably more a Guineas horse, he looks like a miler and I was
happy with his trial. He'll probably also kick off in the Run To The Rose,"
Waller added.
Anthony Cummings will no doubt have bigger goals ahead for Zoustar filly Mizzy,
who has now had a frustrating four placings from five starts following her nose
loss in the Group III ATC Ming Dynasty to talented colt Danawi.
Mizzy is the sixth stakes-horse for Widden Stud's Zoustar, who is fully booked
at a fee of $60,500 this spring