Purchased as a yearling for $1,050,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions, Zarastro failed to measure up to expectation as a colt and was re-offered in 2022 on Inglis Digital where he was snapped up by Tony Gollan for $32,500 and the five year-old I Am Invincible gelding scored his first stakes win on Saturday with a commanding victory in the Listed BRC Tattersalls Recognition Stakes (1350m).
Zarastro worked quickly through his grades after heading to Queensland, reeling off three successive wins through August and September before finishing second in a Listed race after a short let up.
Fitter today, Zarastro went to the front and powered clear to win by three and a half lengths for Angela Jones as favourite.
With
six wins from 15 starts and prizemoney topping $400,000, the best seems still to come for Zarastro and his big ownership group of Gollan stable clients.
Being Magic Millions eligible, all roads will lead to the Gold Coast in the immediate future.
"It was all about getting the strong 1350m in this grade, which he did, so that opens up a lot more options for him, he is a Magic Millions horse so we want to get back there, maybe the Cup (1400m)," Gollan said.
"This was the first time we have had him back to the races on a two-week turnaround.
"We thought he was brilliant today, he knocked up the other day when he had that big break between runs, got a bit soft.
"The difference in him at home coming into the Recognition this week has been unreal."
Bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds and consigned by Segenhoe Stud, Zarastro is the first foal of Zabeel’s speedy Group II ATC Light Fingers Stakes winner Adrift, a half-sister to the dam of this season’s Group II winner Entriviere.
Adrift has a yearling colt by I Am Invincible that is headed to Inglis Easter.
Zarastro is the 101st stakes-winner for champion sire I Am Invincible and is his ninth this season in Australia.
