Aussie Bred Sprinters Second and Fourth in G1 Al Quoz

Tara Madgwick - Sunday March 26

The Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan overnight featured the Group I Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) on turf with Australian bred sprinters The Astrologist (Zoustar) and Sight Seek (Magnus) acquitting themselves admirably to finish second and fourth.

The race was won by Shadwell homebred Danyah, a six year-old Invincible Spirit gelding who was a handicap performer in the UK before being sent to Dubai last year where he has been mixing his form, although did win a Listed race two starts ago.

He was a 33-1 chance, but the Musabbeh Al Mheiri trained Danyah did best in a thrilling finish to post a head win over the Leon and Troy Corstens trained Zoustar gelding The Astrologist, who was brave in defeat.

The race favourite Al Suhail (Dubawi) was third for Godolphin with the John Size trained Hong Kong based Aussie bred Sight Seek a close up in fourth.

Advertisement

A multiple Group III winner in Australia that has also been Group I placed, The Astrologist went to Dubai off a sixth in the Group I VRC Newmarket Handicap where he was beaten two lengths by In Secret.

A $150,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Goodwood farm draft, The Astrologist has been a remarkably tough and consistent campaigner with eight wins and 13 placings from 36 starts with prizemoney in excess of $2.6million.

Zoustar gelding The Astrologist flew the flag for Australia in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint to finish second and is pictured here winning in Australia - image Grant Courtney

The Astrologist has been invited to Royal Ascot, so will not return to Australia in the short term with his owners indicating he will go on to the UK to be trained by Marco Botti in preparation for the Group I Platinum Jubilee Stakes (6f).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Zoustar Sprinter Claims $1.5million G3 Gold Rush
The big money races keep coming in Western Australia with the $1.5million Group III WATC Gold Rush (1400m) won by Victorian raider The Astrologist, a six year-old gelding by Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar.
Super Seth 3YO Salutes for Baker
A tenacious front-running performance in Saturday’s A$160,000 Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill added a first city victory to Puntin’s burgeoning record.
Almanzor Stayer wins G3 Tattersalls Cup
It's been a long time since the  2022 Victoria Derby and some may have wondered whether the winner Manzoice was ever going to win again!
Corumbene Stud Homebred Tashi Wins G1 Tatts Tiara
From the last crop of foals sired by Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring, five year-old mare Tashi may also be his final Group I winner as she produced a career best performance at Eagle Farm on Saturday to win the $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m).
Tattersall’s Mile For The Inflictor - Under The Louvre’s Second SW
Third at Listed level before winning at Doomben, the Craig Cousins-trained The Inflictor (Under The Louvre) then tackled the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, and while not in the same league as winner War Wachine (Harry Angel), the 4yo gelding showed his class on Saturday to win the Listed BRC Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Aussie 2YO SW for Tivaci
New Zealand-bred colt Matahga stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.
Miss Joelene Achieves Millionaire Status
This time last year, Miss Joelene was highlighting herself as one to watch for the future, having placed in the Group 2 The Roses and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and after a few runs behind the outstanding Antino (Redwood) this time in, a class drop on Saturday saw her record victory in the $200,000 Listed BRC Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm.
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.
Private Eye’s Half-Brother King’s Secret Wins Again
Although he may never reach the heights of his older half-brother Private Eye, a Group 1 winner and earner of more than $12m to date, connections of King’s Secret (Shalaa) are sure to have plenty of their own fun with the 3yo gelding winning at Rosehill on Saturday.