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Brisbane was the launching pad for multimillion-dollar Chris Waller-trained colts Zoustar, Brazen Beau and Press Statement and in the shape of Zousain, the stable seemingly has another potential star.
Zousain was aimed at the Queensland carnival after just coming up short during the Sydney autumn and the benefits of a little break were on display as he showed a neat turn of foot to win the Group 2 Champagne Classic at Doomben on Saturday.
Zousain is a son of Zoustar, who did not contest the Champagne, but won the BRC Sires, the race Zousain is likely to next contest. A $400,000 Magic Millions purchase for Guy Mulcaster and David Redvers, Zousain is very much in the mould of his father.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy rode Zousain to win his maiden on debut and noted he has come on considerably since then.
“The exciting thing is that he’s got more to give,” McEvoy said.
“He put them to the sword and then he idled a bit after that.”
For a moment, McEvoy thought he had erred in coming back to the inside in the straight, but the gaps opened and Zousain was able to show a brilliant turn of foot.
Mishani Hustler continued his brilliant season, battling on strongly for second after being engaged in a speed duel upfront.
Blue Book ran home strongly for third, just ahead of Sizzling Ace. Godolphin colt Dynamited was an easing favourite and failed to run on in the straight.
Zousain races in the colours of Sheikh Fahad (of Dunaden fame) and his owners include Brisbane Racing Club racing manager Matt Rudolph, who noted his late father Brian had run second in the same race with Show Joy to Daybreak Lover in 1983.
The Waller stable has been a dominant force in winter juvenile races this decade, with this being his fourth Champagne winner, following Pressday (2010), Brazen Beau (2014) and Tangled (2017).
Waller was not at Doomben, but his Queensland stable manager Paul Shailer indicated he is keen to press on to the Group 1 JJ Atkins with this colt.
Zoustar is going to claim champion first season sire honours this season ahead of Queensland-based Spirit Of Boom, with this being his second stakes winner following Sunlight.
Spirit Of Boom, who ran second in the Champagne in 2010, has had five stakes winners and on Saturday landed his 16th individual winner when Bold Sensation won at Rockhampton. – Nathan Exelby, The Courier Mail