Winner of the Group III The Nivison at Randwick on October 26, Madam Rouge blotted her copybook when last at her most recent start in the Group II Hot Danish Stakes at Rosehill where she never saw daylight, but the daughter of Zoustar was back at the top of her game in Saturday’s Listed Christmas Classic at Randwick.
Madam Rouge wins the Christmas Classic - image Steve Hart
After being caught three wide the trip under Kathy O’Hara, Madam Rouge found the front 250 metres out and was strong to the line to defeat Glenall (Redoute’s Choice) by one and a quarter lengths with Euphoric Summer (Not A Single Doubt) with Albumin (Foxwedge) a long-neck back in third.
“She had an awkward draw and we didn’t want to go too far forward so I said to Kathy if you get caught three-wide don’t panic, wining trainer Chris Waller said.
“She cruised up the rise and it was good to see her put them away like she did.
“If you go back through her form this prep, even her last start in the Hot Danish she was tragically unlucky, but she has been a different horse all prep. I think she has got a good race in her and she will get to the Magic Millions in a couple of weeks and she will no doubt get her chance in the autumn as well.”
A $310,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Widden Stud draft for Waller Racing/ Mulcaster Bloodstock, Madam Rouge advances her record to 4 wins and 4 seconds from 16 starts with earnings of $409,965.
Madam Rouge is the best of two winners from stakes-winning Al Maher mare Cabernet, a daughter of stakes-winner Golden Weekend.
Cabernet is now with Sun Stud and has a 2yo Pride Of Dubai colt named Isdell, yearling colt by Lonhro and foaled a colt by Fighting Sun in September.
Zoustar has 32 entered for the Gold Coast, 5 at the Inglis Classic and 27 at the Inglis Premier.
