Slick Zoustar sprinter Zoutori started last spring winning the Group II VRC Bobbie Lewis Stakes (1200m) at Flemington and he repeated the performance again on Saturday.
Prepare by Matt Ellerton and Simon Zahra, Zoutori contested five Group I sprints last season which included a second in the Oakleigh Plate and a fourth in the Newmarket, so a drop back to Group II company was an easier assignment.
Zoutori stuck his nose out in a blanket finish to win the sprint by a half neck taking his overall record to six wins and six placings from 22 starts with prizemoney in excess of $715,000.
“He wasn’t as dominant as last year, but he got the job done so that’s fantastic!” said co-trainner Matt Ellerton.
“This preparation we might try and stretch him out about a bit and step up in distance from here on in with a race like the Cantala (G1) over a mile here a possible target.”
A $160,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Amarina Farm draft for his trainers, Zoutori was bred by Frank Meduri and is the first foal of Atotori, a half-sister by Haradasun to Group III winner Castlethorpe and to the dam of Group II winner Quiet Oasis and Group III winner Young Pretender.
Atotori had a big international pedigree being a grand-daughter of Champion European Two and Three Year Old Filly Park Express, the dam of leading sire and Epsom Derby winner New Approach.
Atotori died earlier this year and her final foal is a yearling filly by Divine Prophet.
Zoutori is the first stakes-winner of the new season for Widden stud’s champion sire Zoustar, who stands at a fee of $121,000.
