Winless in seven starts since the Listed June Stakes at Randwick last year, the 6yo Brett Cavanough-trained gelding The Monstar captured Saturday's feature, the Group II Moreton Cup (1200m) at the Sunshine Coast, to credit his jockey Skye Bogenhuber with a Group win at her first attempt.
Bogenhuber kept the veteran's mind on the job to run out a long-neck winner over Platinum Angel (Snitzel) who edged out Calanda (Snitzel).
A fabulous money-spinner for the stable, The Monstar advances his record to 12 wins, 7 seconds and 6 thirds from 46 starts with earnings of $731,140.
"I love this horse and I love Brett Cavanough, this is just a dream to get a chance in a Group race," Bogenhuber enthused.
"He's so tough, I did a bit to get across and I was a little bit worried at the top of the straight when Jimmy Byrne (on Calanda) loomed up and I thought he was gone.
"But he hits a flat spot and then he toughs it out like a real soldier."
Bred by Baerami Thoroughbreds, the son of the deceased California Dane (pictured) is the fifth foal of the twice winning Brocco (USA) mare Sirocco Mist who died in May 2015.
Sirocco Mist's dam, the stakes-placed All Stormy, is a half-sister to that grand galloper, 4-time Group 1 winner All Our Mob and to Group I 1000 Guineas winner All Time High.
