Zoustar - New Winner

Ascot carnival contenders were out in force for the G3 Eurythmic Stakes over 1400m on Saturday and the winner was a son of So You Think that has serious summer ambitions.

Just when Brisbane trainer Robert Heathcote didn’t think his day could get any better after stable favourite Rothfire won the $2million Group III ATC Sydney Stakes at Randwick, it did with bonny mare Abounding taking out the Group II MRC Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

A homebred for Torryburn Stud, talented Zoustar filly Stardom opened her Black Type account at Scone on Saturday in the $200,000 Listed Woodlands Stud Stakes (1100m) to the great delight of her breeder John Cornish, who was at the track.

On this day for the past few years, Joe Pride’s Private Eye has taken part in the Everest, having finished second, third and sixth respectively, but connections decided on Melbourne this year where the 8yo took his earnings soaring past $12.6m with an easy victory in the Group 3 MRC Moonga Stakes (1400m).

A filly closely related to a four-time Group 1 winner from a strong Kembla Grange form race has impressed at just her second start, winning with ease.

While many felt leading South Australian breeder Harry Perks would provider the winner of Saturday’s Listed SAJC Hill Smith Stakes (1800m), it was the outsider of his trio that took the race, as 3yo Ghaiyyath filly Freedom Flame proved too strong in the run to the line at Morphettville.

Fresh appears best for Robbie Griffiths’ Magnus gelding Rey Magnerio as the 6yo charged late to win the $300,000 Group 2 MRC Herald Sun Sprint (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday, his third win from four first up runs.

Five G1 races were contested at Ascot overnight as the British flat season culminated with a dazzling day of racing, but there were shocks and surprises with only two favourites saluting on a day which was significant back in 2023 as the last time Via Sistina (IRE) raced in the Northern Hemisphere.

Quality sprinter Rope Them In produced his trademark first up burst of acceleration to claim a second stakes victory in a thrilling finish to the Listed RS Crawford Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.

NZB Ready to Run graduate Ceolwulf mastered the Randwick mile again on Saturday, going back-to-back in the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) and heading an all New Zealand-bred trifecta in the A$5 million showpiece.