Fourth Stakes-Winner for Zoustar

Champion trainer Chris Waller already has two Group winning colts in the stable by his former champion Zoustar in Zousain and Lean Mean Machine and added a third at Moonee Valley on Saturday when Charge scored a bold front running victory in the Group III MVRC 1300 Australia Stakes.

Stakes-placed at two of his four previous runs this preparation, Charge was driven forward by Hugh Bowman from an outside gate to lead and enjoyed setting the tempo before fighting on to win the 1200 metre sprint by a long head.

“He’s a natural runner, but he’s got to harness that energy if he’s going to really step up to the grade we think he can,” Bowman said.

The Group I VRC Coolmore Stakes over 1200 metres for three year-olds is next Saturday, but Charge is unlikely to back up.

“It has probably come around a bit quick, a race like the Coolmore, but he’s been a work in progress and just gradually learning to settle and do things right,” Waller said.

“He’s a very talented horse so he’ll be headed for better things.”

A $450,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Turangga Farm draft for David Redvers / Mulcaster Bloodstock, Charge was bred by Turangga Farm and is the fourth winner from four to race from Queen of the Falls, a half-sister to Group II winner Elite Falls. He has the overall record of two wins and four placings from nine starts earning nearly $200,000 in prizemoney.

Queen of the Falls changed hands earlier this year, bought by Harry McAlpine Bloodstock for $155,000 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. She has a yearling colt by Zoustar and will foal to him again this spring.

Charge has a double cross of Danehill and is the fourth stakes-winner for Zoustar, who stands at Widden Stud this spring at a fee of $60,500.