Widden Stud's champion sire Zoustar had a great day on Saturday with Sunlight’s little sister Sisstar claiming another Black Type win in the Listed MRC Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield, while in Brisbane blue-blooded mare Zaniah scored a valuable win in the Listed BRC Ascot Handicap (1000m).
A five year-old mare trained by Kris Lees, Zaniah had been Group III placed twice previously and broke through with a fast finishing half length win.
Zaniah has won four races from 17 starts earning over $220,000.
A $1million Inglis Easter purchase for Bruce Perry Bloodstock from the Edinglassie Stud draft, Zaniah runs for well known Kiwi owner Lib Petagna and is a half-sister to Group I winner Shooting to Win and Group II winner Deep Field, both now successful sires.
She is the third stakes-winner for blue hen Listen Here, who made $3.4million at the 2016 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale when bought by China Horse Club/Bruce Perry Bloodstock.
The current yearling from Listen Here is a filly by I Am Invincible that was passed in at Inglis Easter and then later sold for $1,050,000.
Zaniah is 22nd stakes-winner for Zoustar, who also sired Sisstar to win the Listed MRC Bel Esprit Stakes at Caulfield.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy trained four year-old led all the way to win by a length under William Pike taking her overall to six wins from 15 starts with prizemoney topping $560,000.
“That was fantastic. She's a very quick filly. She's won over 955 (metres) but she's versatile and she can run a strong 1100 metres and I think she can run out 1200 as well,” said co-trainer Calvin McEvoy.
"We wanted to come back here and get a bit more black type if we could and I think she's earnt a chance at the Sangster now.
"She's a multiple stakes winner now so a Group I win or placing is what we need to chase now. She's stepped out of the shadows of her big sister and she's been a tremendous filly and mare for her connections as well."
A $600,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Widden Stud draft for McEvoy Mitchell Racing/David Redvers Bstock, Sisstar runs for a syndicate that includes many of the same owners involved in Sunlight.
Bred by Widden Stud in partnership, Sisstar is a full sister to Sunlight and to this season’s stakes--placed 2YO Dio being one of five winners from Group III winner Solar Charged.
Solar Charged has no yearling for the sales this year, but produced a colt by Zoustar last spring and is back in foal to him again.
