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.

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“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). 

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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
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