One to Watch – Cranbourne

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday September 28

Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar had not one, but two impressive debut winners on Wednesday with Saturn Star at Rosehill joined by an ultra-impressive filly at Cranbourne.

Climbing Star wins easily at Cranbourne - image Pat Scala/ Racing Photos

Trained by Phillip Stokes, three year-old filly Climbing Star was a short priced favourite for the 1200m maiden and showed an impressive change of gear for Zac Spain to accelerate clear of her rivals and win by nearly two lengths.

A $600,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Phillip Stokes Racing Pty Ltd / Rick Connolly Bloodstock from the Widden Stud draft, Climbing Star runs for a syndicate headed by Qatar Bloodstock, who also bred the filly.

"She's very special, she cost us a lot of money out of Sydney Easter," said Stokes, who also has a share in her ownership along with other stable clients.

"They (the owners) have been very patient and she will reward them. She's going to be better over further but that was a very dominant first-up win and I couldn't be happier."

Advertisement

Climbing Star was a $600,000 Inglis Easter purchase.

Climbing Star is likely to progress to a fillies race on Caulfield Cup day, however Stokes is in no hurry with the daughter of Zoustar and harbors serious Black Type goals for the autumn.

Climbing Star is a half-sister to dual Group III winner Sansom and is the fourth winner from Fastnet Rock mare Bryony, a sister to Group I winner Heroic Valour and three-quarter sister to Group I winner Triple Honour.

The Zoustar x Fastnet Rock nick is becoming more and more successful with 21 winners from 27 runners highlighted by two stakes-winners including Zougotcha, who runs in the Group I ATC Flight Stakes on Saturday.

Advertisment

Race Result - Afc - P & L Darose Mdn 1200m

Cranbourne Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:11.65
1
Climbing Star
- 3f Zoustar (AUS) x Bryony (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: Zac Spain 55
2
1.8
Calico Jack
- 3g Merchant Navy (AUS) x Shrill (GB) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Ethan Brown 57
3
4.1
Body Bob
- 3c Written Tycoon (AUS) x Fifth Avenue Lady (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Moor 57
4
4.7
Fighting Force
- 4g Fighting Sun (AUS) x Viva La Cent (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: D C Harrison Rdr: J Bowditch 59.5
5
5.0
Granny's Reward
- 4m Reward For Effort (AUS) x Granny Smith (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Clayton Douglas Rdr: J Noonan 57.5
6
5.2
Lake Agawam
- 3c Lonhro (AUS) x Hampton Classic (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: L Nolen 57
7
6.7
Alchian
- 3g Churchill (IRE) x Caper (AUS) (Hinchinbrook (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: M J Dee 57
8
6.8
Ceeceeteevee
- 3g Cable Bay (IRE) x Catch A Thief (NZ) (One Cool Cat (USA))
Tnr: Thomas Nikolic Rdr: B Higgins 57
9
10.3
Jenni Express
- 5m Shamexpress (NZ) x Very Musical (IRE) (Green Tune (USA))
Tnr: Patrick Keane Rdr: B Park 57.5
10
12.3
Teeming At Times
- 4m Manhattan Rain (AUS) x So Subtle (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: S C Bottomley Rdr: Ms Yoko Ota 57.5
11
14.8
Munchette
- 5m Moshe (AUS) x Munch (AUS) (Mull Of Kintyre (USA))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: Damien Thornton 57.5
12
14.9
Caesar Rock
- 3c Pierro (AUS) x Queen Caesar (AUS) (Holy Roman Emperor (IRE))
Tnr: Simon Zahra Rdr: B Shinn 57
More Reading...
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish. 
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favourite.
Zoustar Mare Rolls Favourites in G1 Sangster
Widden Stud’s flagship sire Zoustar had another red letter day on Saturday with a Group double at Morphettville when exciting juvenile colt Growing Empire bolted away with the Group III SAJC Breeders Stakes followed later in the day by progressive mare Climbing Star, who tipped out the favourites to score a tenacious win in the $1million SAJC Rober Sangster Stakes (1200m).
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.