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Jockey Jay Ford was in no doubt one of the best horses racing at Randwick on Saturday was the impressive Funstar which made it two from two when taking out the ATC Heritage Volunteers 2YO Handicap (1200m).
Funstar is the half-sister to Group I winner Youngstar and raced by most of the owners that form the ownership group of her older sibling. Both horses are also trained by Chris Waller.
The daughter of Cox Plate hero Adelaide, Funstar was the easing favourite on Saturday, drifting from $1.70 to jump the even money favourite.
Maybe the marketplace knew something, because it wasn’t an easy ride for the filly’s supporters. Funstar was pocketed on the inside, behind the speed, and it wasn’t until a narrow gap appeared halfway down the straight, there was clear air.
“When the draw came out, I thought barrier one could be the only sticking point and it was but she proved she was good enough to overcome it,” Ford said.
“I had my first sit on her last week at trackwork and she gave me the feel of a very talented racehorse.
“I’m glad I got to experience a sit on her because when you get an idea what’s under the bonnet it gives you the confidence to let the race unfold and not force the issue.
“It was a very slowly run race and I had a lap full of horse but I had to wait for something to happen.
“Fortunately, a little gap opened up back to the inside, she dragged me into it, darted through and really attacked the line.
“Even though the margin wasn’t great, it was a dominant win I can assure you.”
At the post Funstar held a half-neck margin over the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Leviathan ($3.70) with another 2-1/4 lengths back to Brad Widdup’s Switched ($4.60) in third.
Waller wasn’t at Randwick on Saturday so the immediate plays for Funstar are unknown but Ford said the “best is ahead of her”.
“She’s so professional,” he said. “A very bright future ahead.
“I haven’t ridden two many two-year-olds that have the desire like she does to be a racehorse.
“The best is ahead of her, she’s capable of going to another level when she gets out over ground.” – Racenet.com.au