Zoustar Filly Wins G2 Reisling
Widden Stud sires Zoustar and Star Witness provided the quinella in the Group II ATC Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Richard and Michael Freedman did not have long to reflect on the luckless fourth of Stay Inside in the Todman Stakes before the mood brightened considerably Zoustar filly Glistening held off a hard-charging Swift Witness (Star Witness) to win by a short-half-head earning a ticket for the $3.5million Golden Slipper Stakes in a fortnight.
It was just the second start for Glistening, who was second at Canberra on her debut last month.
“It’s a big team effort as it is with any stable. I’m really thrilled for Jean. He works so hard with us,” Michael Freedman said.
“He travels all over NSW to pick up rides. He gave this filly a great ride in Canberra along with Prime Star later in the day. I’m thrilled for him and for a new bunch of owners.
“James Harron and I have done a fillies partnership together and this is the first filly out of that partnership. To get a group winner out of that is a big thrill.
“It wasn’t probably the plan to lead today. I don’t think she is necessarily a jump and sit on speed. We were dictated a bit by the barrier, but I gave Jean the option to go forward and leading if he had to.
“I actually think she is a better filly sitting off the speed if she had to. So, let’s let the dust settle.
“She is in the race (Golden Slipper), so it gives us some options. James and I will have a chat about it, and if she pulls up alright, we might have a shy at the stumps.”
Purchased by James Harron Bloodstock/Freedman Brothers for $260,000 out of the Widden Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Glistening is the second live foal and second winner out of the Group III Gold Coast Guineas winner Beethog.
A daughter of Shovhog, Beethog is a half-sister to the Listed Canberra Guineas winner Rom Baro. She has a yearling filly by Zoustar and a weanling filly by Nicconi.
Beethog was covered by Zoustar’s son Zousain last spring.
Glistening became the 19th stakes-winner for Zoustar.
