First Win for Expensive Zoustar Colt

A half-brother to Group I ATC Australian Derby winner Quick Thinker, expensive Zoustar colt Yulong Code opened his account with a strong finishing win at Hawkesbury on Thursday.

Yulong Code was highlighted in a recent Trial Watch story on Breednet and ran right up to expectation when resuming from a spell in the 1300m maiden.

Turned out fit and ready to fire by his trainer Chris Waller, Yulong Code stalked the leader under Jason Collett and powered past him over the final furlong to win by a length and a half at his third start.

Purchased for $1,075,000 at the Magic Millions from the KBL Thoroughbreds draft by Yu Long Investments Pty Ltd/RIFA Mustang, Yulong Code was the most expensive yearling sired by Zoustar in 2019.

He is a half-brother to Group I ATC Australian Derby winner Quick Thinker, Group III placed The August and progressive mare Seasons, who was recently third in the Group II ATC Sheraco Stakes.

Bred by Andrew Bowcock, Yulong Code is the fifth foal from his star producer Acouplamas, a stakes-placed Al Maher mare from the family of Group I winners Blackfriars and Larrocha.

Acouplamas has not had a foal since Yulong Code, but was covered last spring by Trapeze Artist and appears to be in foal.