Ronstar Holds Off $1.7Million Colt

Progressive Zoustar gelding Ronstar kept his unbeaten record intact when holding off a determined bid from expensive Snitzel colt Diplomatico to make it two wins in as many starts at Rosehill on Saturday.

Prepared by Gary Portelli, Ronstar was tenacious when scoring narrowly on debut last month and showed the same fighting qualities in this performance.

He raced up on the pace for Winona Costin and refused to be beaten, scoring a half head win over debutant Diplomatico, a $1.7 million Inglis Easter purchase that made a good impression with his late surging finish.

Retained to race by his breeders Ronnie Burns and Ron Pulatti, Ronstar has been the subject of considerable interest from Hong Kong.

“We were offered a lot of money after he won here,” Gary Portelli said.

“The owners decided to keep him so hopefully he keeps winning for them. I don’t want to lose him, that’s for sure.

“He’s got a will to win and you can’t teach that.”

Ronstar is the third winner from Flying Spur mare Miss Essembee, a half-sister to Champion HK Griffin Bear Hero that traces back to the family of Group I winners Centro and Subzero.

Ronstar may have one more run before heading to the paddock with better races in the spring now in his sights.

He is one of seven winners for Widden Stud’s gun young sire Zoustar, who stands at a fee of $60,500 this spring.