Zoustar Colt Wins Byerley Handicap

Tara Madgwick - Saturday July 15

The $150,000 VRC Byerley Handicap (1800m) at Flemington on Saturday is a trial race for the Derby and Oaks next season designed to highlight up and coming young stayers and victory went to progressive Zoustar colt Sunsource.

Sunsource scores a tough win - image Grant Courtney

Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Sunsource won the $250,000 Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic on debut last spring and while he has not won since, his recent form has been very consistent with a last start third in the Listed VRC Taj Rossi Final saw him start equal favourite for this assignment.

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Ridden by Damien Oliver , he was tenacious to the line in defeating Dundeel colt Line of fire by a long neck with the other co-favourite Dolphin Skin, who won the Taj Rossi finishing in third place.

It was a timely return to form for Sunsource, who was looking down the barrel of being gelded during his winter spell.

“We threatened him through the week that he was going to be two-stone lighter and it’s obviously worked,” Natalie Young said.

“But having Ollie (Damien Oliver) on – the GOAT – having him stand over him and bully him that little bit it seemed to work and he travelled for him and hit the line nicely.

“He’s always shown a lot of ability this horse. Just the last couple of runs he’s been a little switched off but obviously with the blinkers on, he’s a little more genuine now.

“It’s good to see this horse bounce back after winning that Ballarat two-year-old race (on debut).”

Sunsource makes his owners happy - image Grant Courtney

A $370,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Widden Stud draft for Busuttin Racing/Group 1 Bloodstock, Sunsource has two wins and two placings from seven starts with prizemoney in excess of $270,000.

Bred by Robert Anderson and foaled and raised at Widden, Sunsource is the second foal and second winner from Group III placed Sebring mare Patricia Dawn, a daughter of imported stakes-winner Summer Girlfriend (USA).

While the Victoria Derby run at 2500m might be beyond the distance range of Sunsource, Damien Oliver believes the colt has more wins in store.

“I don’t know if he’s sharp enough for a Caulfield Guineas but he feels like a 2000 will suit him for mine,” Oliver said.

“He kept finding the line over the 1800m, which is promising.”

His sire Zoustar is better known  for his sprinter milers, but has had success during the winter months with his progressive staying son Zoumon, who has won three Cups races at his past three starts most recently the Listed Grafton Cup on Thursday.

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Race Result - Byerley Hcp 1800m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 1:50.20
1
Sunsource
- 2c Zoustar (AUS) x Patricia Dawn (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Oliver 58.5
2
0.3
Line Of Fire
- 2c Dundeel (NZ) x Montrachet (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: H Coffey 56.5
3
1.3
Dolphin Skin
- 2f Telperion (AUS) x Tempo Manor (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: W F Pinn 57
4
2.3
Thin Red Line
- 2g Highland Reel (IRE) x Scarlet Nights (AUS) (Manhattan Rain (AUS))
Tnr: J D Sadler Rdr: Tatum Bull 53
5
2.5
Zed Or Alive
- 2g Zed (NZ) x Lets Have Some Fun (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: Carleen Hefel 54.5
6
2.6
Be Still The Earth
- 2c Shalaa (IRE) x Simply Carina (USA) (El Prado (IRE))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Lachlan King 56
7
5.3
Labarna
- 2g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Hittite (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 53.5
8
12.3
Sambucus
- 2g Fiorente (IRE) x Henriette (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: R E Laing Rdr: Harry Grace 55.5
9
15.8
Waamil
- 2f Lonhro (AUS) x El Daana (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Jye McNeil 54
10
24.8
Grand Illusion
- 2g Cable Bay (IRE) x Loveheart Lass (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Daniel Williams Rdr: Ms L J Meech 54
11
34.8
Zella's Heart
- 2f Shamus Award (AUS) x Sedated Witness (AUS) (Star Witness (AUS))
Tnr: David Prior Rdr: Tayla Childs 53
12
38.8
Salou
- 2c Lean Mean Machine (AUS) x Mightier (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Moor 55.5
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