Seventh Winner for Zoustar

Mark Smith - Sunday May 20

With his pronounced swayback, the Gary Portelli-trained Ronstar was the subject of more curiosity than admiration when parading prior to his career debut in Saturday's Abercorn Hall of Fame Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens.

But that was reversed when Ronstar fought on courageously under Winona Costin to defeat River Bird (Epaulette) by a short half head with Canyonero (Pierro) one and a half lengths back in third.

Advertisement


The 2yo gelding credited leading first season sire Zoustar with his seventh individual winner.

"He has a massive, effortless stride and he is going to get over further. He is a young horse with potential,'' Portelli told news.com.au.

It provided a welcome change of luck for his breeder and part-owner Ronnie Burns.

"It is great to get this result for Ronnie and the other part-owner, Ron Pulatti as they put a lot of money into the game, Portelli said.

"We saw a raw individual today, a horse with natural ability who should get out to further.

"His mother, Miss Essembee, was a handy sprinter and holds a couple of course records around the bush. She has thrown the speed into Ronstar and hopefully his sire, Zoustar, throws the quality."

Burns had purchased Miss Essembee for $150,000 out of the Baramul Stud draft at the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

A 5-time winner, the daughter of Flying Spur is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Spinning Boy (Spinning World) and to the Champion Griffin in Hong Kong in 2011, Bear Hero.

Miss Essembee missed to More Than Ready (USA) in 2015 and sli8pped to Nicconi in 2016. She was covered by Hallowed Crown last spring.

Currently almost $900,000 ahead of his nearest pursuer Spirit Of Boom in the race for leading first-crop sire, Zoustar stands at Widden Stud in 2018 for a fee of $60,500 (inc GST).

Advertisment
More Reading...
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish. 
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Goffs Orby Day 2 - Trio of Million Dollar Yearling Fillies
The second day of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale took off overnight with three individual yearlings selling for a million or more with the full sister to dual Group I winning champion 2YO Colt Blackbeard selling for €1.9 million to MV Magnier.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.