An expensive son of Zoustar, Redzoust performed below expectations at his first two starts before putting six opponents to the sword over 1100m on the Ballarat synthetic on Friday.
Give a positive ride by Dean Holland, the Tony And Calvin McEvoy-trained chestnut travelled sweetly outside the pace-setting Full Blown. Dispatching that colt shortly after turning for home, Redzoust hit the line with purpose, defeating Veloce Carro (Nicconi) by three and a quarter lengths with a further one and three-quarter lengths back to Astelena (Pariah) in third.
Tony McEvoy said Redzoust had genuine excuses for his first two starts.
“He’s a good quality colt. He jarred up at his first start and didn’t handle the soft ground,” McEvoy said.
“We have had to be a bit patient, but you can see the talent he has today.”
McEvoy praised the decision to hold the meeting on the synthetic.
“As you can see by the weather, we wouldn’t be running on the turf today,” he said.
“That’s the beauty of having these synthetics, and there should be more of these. We stop in August, and September can still be very wet, so I think the season should be extended.”
Redzoust was a $510,000 buy for McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock Agency P/L (FBAA) from the Kulani Park draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The son of Zoustar is the first foal of the winning Star Witness mare Red Velvet Swing, a sister to stakes-placed Serenade and a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner and Widden Stud stallion Stratum Star (Stratum) and to Kia Ora Stud’s dual Group III winner and Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce stakes runner-up, Prague (Redoute’s Choice).
Red Velvet Swing has a yearling filly by Snitzel and revisited the Arrowfield champion last season.
Redzoust is the tenth 3yo winner of the season for Widden Stud’s flagship stallion Zoustar.
