A spring campaign that never really got off the ground was banished to history when quality Group I Zoustar mare Zougotcha burst back to top form to end the winning fun of Lady Laguna in the $300,000 Group II ATC Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Zougotcha back in the winning groove - image Steve Hart
Lady Laguna was shooting for a fourth straight win, but the daughter of Overshare could not withstand the challenge from Zougotcha, who charged to the line for James McDonald to win by a length.
Zougotcha was dominant in the Sydney three year-old fillies division up to a mile last season, but three unplaced runs last spring left Chris Waller with some thinking to do.
"I just had her in the wrong races, as simple as that," he said.
"I put her in 1100ms first-up and it was too short, today is 1300m. Second-up last prep she was in (over) 1200m and it was too short.
"We tried to make her into a sprinter, but she is obviously a Group I mile winner. We tried to get her to an Everest and it backfired."
Zougotcha was a $500,000 Inglis Easter purchase from Widden Stud.
A $500,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Widden Stud draft for Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock, Zougotcha runs for a syndicate of stable clients with her breeders Widden Stud and Robert Anderson retaining an interest.
Zougotcha has six wins from 13 starts with prizemoney just shy of $1.2million and could have a very good autumn judging by this strong return with Group I goals on the radar.
"She will take improvement from today's run and there is the Coolmore (Classic) in a few weeks' time and perhaps a Doncaster," Waller said.
"She's by Zoustar, the stable is very proud of him and what he's doing. Having a filly like her by Zoustar is pretty special."
Zougotcha is a full sister to stakes-winner Persuader and half-sister to stakes-winner The Actuary being the fourth winner from stakes-placed Fast Talker, a half-sister by Fastnet Rock to stakes-winner Crystal Dreamer.
Fast Talker comes from the family of Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily and her yearling colt by Written Tycoon will be offered by Widden Stud at Inglis Easter as Lot 24.
Fast Talker missed in 2022, but appears to now be back in foal to Zougotcha’s sire Zoustar.
