Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar racked up a milestone on Saturday at Moonee Valley posting his 50th stakes-winner when talented colt Growing Empire scored a stylish victory in the Listed MVRC Valley Pearl (1200m) carrying the Yulong colours.
Trained by Ciaron Maher, Growing Empire did a good job when beaten narrowly on debut at Randwick last month to subsequent Group placed filly Chateau Miraval, but he crashed through the outside running rail after the post and was sent back to the trials as a result.
With a trial under his belt and the addition of blinkers, Growing Empire made no mistakes in his first try at stakes company, kicking up to lead from gate one and holding his rivals at bay to win by two lengths with Ethan Brown in the saddle.
“This colt is a real thinker and I just had to keep him on the ball throughout the race. He’s got a ton of ability, but has a lot to learn too,” said Ethan Brown.
“He was well prepared for today and he can go on with it.”
Growing Empire was a $700,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Yulong from the Vinery Stud draft and is a half-sister to Group III placed Dancing Alone from Group II placed Snitzel mare Miles of Krishan, a half-sister to Group I winner Il Quello Veloce, stakes-winner Donna Cattiva and to the dam of Group III Canberra Black Opal Stakes winner Holmes a Court, who runs in the Golden Slipper.
It’s a very fast Black Type family that has also produced Group I winning sprinters Terravista and Tiger Tees.
Miles of Krishan has a yearling filly by I Am Invincible and another filly to follow by Zoustar and was covered by I Am Invincible again last year.
Growing Empire is the 50th stakes-winner for Zoustar, who has 36 entries for Inglis Easter and interestingly he is the eighth SW for his sire to carry a double cross of Redoute’s Choice.
