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
Inglis March (Early) Online Sale $65,000
Seller: Ballymore Stables
Buyer: S Clarke, NT
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $130,000
Seller: Cressfield, Scone, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: Paul Moroney Bloodstock/Catheryne Bruggeman/Ballymore Stables
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...
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).
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
Stakes Double for Zoustar
Zoustar had a productive Saturday with two new stakes-winners starting with two year-old colt Growing Empire, winner of the Listed MVRC Moonee Valley Pearl and followed later in the day in Adelaide by four year-old mare Climbing Star, who took out the Listed SAJC Matrice Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.