One To Watch - Geelong

Mark Smith - Thursday September 15

Zoustar filly Sweetened impressed when making a winning career debut in the bet365 Odds Drift Protector 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate (1125m) at Geelong on Thursday.

Ridden by Damien Oliver for Ben and JD Hayes, Sweetened was caught three-wide but finished strongly to win by two lengths from the Rich Enuff filly Miss Subtly, her fourth second placing from as many starts. The Star Witness filly Cover Star was three-quarter of a length back in third.

Impressive debut by Sweetened (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

"It's a great result; we have always liked her. She's been a horse with which the stable has had to be very patient. She hasn't been the soundest horse," Ben Hayes told racing.com.

“She has not broken down but has really immature joints.

Advertisement

“She was a beautiful type at the sales. She did have a few little issues but we took the risk. Looking at her in the mounting yard, she has improvement to come in the coat.

"She was still a bit green and doing a bit wrong, so I'm excited about her.

“We nominated her for the Thousand Guineas, but that might come up a bit quick.”

Damien Oliver said he was impressed how the daughter of Zoustar finished the race off.

“She's a nice filly that trialled well, Oliver said.

"She began OK but did not have the speed to get near the lead, so I had her where she was comfortable.

"She was under a little bit of pressure around the turn but responded well and hit the line nicely.

"The heavy track was not a problem, and this was the first time she has been let off the bit.

"She is a city-class horse, for sure." 

Carrying the red and white stripes of Jonathan Munz, Sweetened was a $300,000 purchase for Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (BAFNZ)/Lindsay Park Racing from the Fernrigg Farm draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Sweetened a $300,000 Magic Millions yearling

A half-sister to stakes-placed Aidensfield (Dissident), Sweetened is the fourth foal of the talented Star Thoroughbred colour-bearer Muscovado. The daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown (USA) was a 3-time winner and placed in the Listed Reginald Allen Hcp.

A daughter of the Group II Surround Stakes, Group II Premiere Stakes, and Group II Shannon Hcp winner On Type (Zeditave), Muscovado is a half-sister to Group III McNeil Stakes winner Sugar Babe (Exceed And Excel) and to the dam of Group III winner and young Aquis stallion Bellevue Hill (Pierro).

Sparta Racing bought Muscovado's More Than Ready (USA) filly for $150,000 at Inglis Easter in April.

After foaling a Lonhro colt last spring, Muscovado was covered by Street Boss (USA). 

Advertisment

Race Result - Bet365 Odds Protector Mdn 1125m

Geelong Track: Heavy(8) Time: 1:07.92
1
Sweetened
- 3f Zoustar (AUS) x Muscovado (AUS) (Big Brown (USA))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: D Oliver 57
2
2.0
Miss Subtly
- 3f Rich Enuff (AUS) x Hold For Applause (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: Jordan Childs 57
3
2.8
Cover Star
- 3f Star Witness (AUS) x Cover Charge (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: D Yendall 57
4
4.2
Cincinnati Dreamer
- 3f Written Tycoon (AUS) x Missy Cummings (AUS) (Magnus (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: D Moor 57
5
4.3
Dame Cheval
- 3f Toronado (IRE) x Rossan (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: R J Besanko Rdr: C Newitt 57
6
4.8
She Daresthe Devil
- 3f Puissance De Lune (IRE) x Stiletto Rock (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: R J Besanko Rdr: B Mc Dougall 57
7
5.0
Shanghai Venture
- 3f Akeed Mofeed (GB) x Carousing (AUS) (New Approach (IRE))
Tnr: Brian McGrath Rdr: R Downey 57
8
5.8
Call Me Catherine
- 3f Pariah (AUS) x Sultry Dreamer (AUS) (Dream Ahead (USA))
Tnr: N A Blackiston Rdr: B Prebble 57
9
7.8
Alabama Gold
- 3f Bon Aurum (AUS) x Southern Link (AUS) (Desert King (IRE))
Tnr: K L Corstens Rdr: Jack Hill 57
10
10.0
Rippling Belle
- 3f Reward For Effort (AUS) x Miss Gidget (AUS) (Gonski (AUS))
Tnr: Ms C Alderson Rdr: Jye McNeil 57
11
14.5
Speakeasy
- 3f All Too Hard (AUS) x Communicating (AUS) (Congrats (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Fred W Kersley 57
More Reading...
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
Aussie Globetrotting Mare Now Calls Woodside Home
Woodside Park have released a list of their quality mares set to visit new recruit Celestial Legend this spring and one of them is Aussie bred Group II winner Nafaayes, who produced a promising 2YO winner overnight in the UK.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Elite Broodmare Band Booked to Celestial Legend
Woodside Park Stud is proud to announce they are sending an outstanding group of broodmares to visit their exciting young sire Celestial Legend. 
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.