Zou Sensation Wins Listed Weekend Hussler for Bennett Racing

Tara Madgwick - Saturday October 11

Six year-old Zoustar gelding Zou Sensation has been in hot form this year and was rewarded for consistency when scoring his first Black Type win at Caulfield on Saturday in the Listed MRC Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m).

Zou Sensation wins his first stakes race - image Grant Courtney

Prepared by the Corstens/ Larkin training partnership and ridden by Ben Allen, Zou Sensation was well rated in front and kept up a good gallop to the line to win by a length over the favourite King Zephyr.

Advertisement

Zou Sensation was a $150,000 Magic Millions purchase from Widden Stud for Bennett Racing and has the overall record of eight wins and seven placings from 28 starts with prizemoney just shy of $700,000.

Bennett Racing owners celebrate - image Grant Courtney

Bred by Qatar Bloodstock and foaled and raised at Widden, Zou Sensation is the best of four winners from five foals to race from stakes-winning Danehill Dancer (IRE) mare Dame Claire.

Bennett Racing also have the three-quarter sister to Zou Sensation paying $110,000 at Magic Millions in 2024 for Zousain filly Zouclaire, who has been placed twice from a handful of starts.

Dame Claire has changed hands a couple of times in recent years and was covered last spring by Brutal.

Zou Sensation is the 72nd stakes-winner for Widden Stud’s reigning champion sire Zoustar, who stands at a fee of $275,000.

Advertisment

Race Result - The Big Screen Company Weekend Hussler LR 1400m

Caulfield Track: Good(3) Time: 1:22.81
1
Zou Sensation
- 6g Zoustar (AUS) x Dame Claire (NZ) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: L & T Corstens & W Larkin Rdr: Ben Allen 58
Zoustar
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $150,000
Seller: Widden Stud, Widden Valley, NSW
Buyer: Bennett Racing
2
1
King Zephyr
- 5g Hallowed Crown (AUS) x Divine Breeze (AUS) (Smart Missile (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: Jordan Childs 54
Hallowed Crown
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale Showcase Session $48,000
Seller: Kelly Thoroughbreds, Sale
Buyer: C F Hyland Racing
3
2.5
Benagil
- 4m Manhattan Rain (AUS) x Des Moines (AUS) (War (AUS))
Tnr: Glen Thompson Rdr: Craig Williams 58.5
4
2.7
Amenable
- 6g Lonhro (AUS) x Carribean Sunset (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: M Zahra 60
5
4.2
Kintyre
- 5g Hallowed Crown (AUS) x Mull Over (AUS) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Jamie Melham 55.5
6
4.9
Another Prophet
- 4m Brazen Beau (AUS) x Set To Skelter (AUS) (Reset (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Ethan Brown 57
7
5.7
Berkshire Shadow
- 7g Dark Angel (IRE) x Angel Vision (IRE) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Declan Bates 55.5
8
10.9
Snow Patrol
- 5g Contributer (IRE) x O'rocker (AUS) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Beau Mertens 55
9
13.2
Rhinoceros
- 7g Vadamos (FR) x Hot In Pink (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: E & D Browne Rdr: D Yendall 54
More Reading...
Eight Supplementaries Added to Premier Catalogue
A total of eight supplementary entries have been confirmed for the Premier Yearling Sale, taking the final catalogue number to 814 lots.
One to Watch – Newcastle
A $600,000 Proisir filly that is a half-sister to a Group I winner opened her account at Newcastle on Monday.
Ocean Park's Ohope Wins to Lead Wexford Stables Charge
Major targets for two and dress rehearsals for others add up to an intriguing day’s racing for a talent-packed Wexford Stables contingent at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Zou Sensation Cracks $1million on New Years Eve
Australia’s reigning champion sire Zoustar is renowned for the racetrack exploits of his progeny and also the high prices they command in the sale ring, but not all of them are expensive and Bennett Racing found value when they bid just $150,000 to secure one of his colts from Widden Stud at Magic Millions in 2021.
2026 G1 Blue Diamond Field and Barrier Draw
The $2million Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) is the first Group I race for juveniles in Australia this season and in a race with many chances the barrier draw is all important and if you had trouble splitting the Price Kent trained colts Guest House and Big Sky before the draw… nothing has changed.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday February 17
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Zoustar Filly Primed For Another Win
Miss Twinkle shined when winning her maiden at Riccarton last month and trainer Andrew Carston is hoping for a repeat performance when he returns to his local track on Wednesday with his filly.
Blue Diamond Passport to Stud Career
A colt that wins the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) is invariably offered a chance at a commercial stud career and champion sires Redoute’s Choice and Extreme Choice have set the bar high in that regard.
ATIEA nominations close Wednesday midnight
The Australian thoroughbred industry has a final opportunity to recognise its staff, with nominations for the 2026 Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (formerly the Stud and Stable Staff Awards) now closing at midnight this Wednesday.
Unraced First Season Sires at the Trials
This report is always well read for those looking for insight into what these young stallions have in the pipeline as winners don’t come from nowhere, they come through the trials.