Seventh Winner for Zoustar

The Gary Portelli-trained Zoustar colt Ronstar made a pleasing debut at Rosehill on Saturday scoring a determined debut win over 1200 metres.

Ronstar fought on courageously under Winona Costin to defeat River Bird by a short half head to give his young sire Zoustar his seventh winner this season.

“He has a massive, effortless stride and he is going to get over further. He is a young horse with potential,” said Gary Portelli.

It provided a welcome change of luck for his breeder and part-owner Ronnie Burns.

“It is great to get this result for Ronnie and the other part-owner, Ron Pulatti as they put a lot of money into the game,” Portelli said.

“We saw a raw individual today, a horse with natural ability who should get out to further.

“His mother, Miss Essembee, was a handy sprinter and holds a couple of course records around the bush. She has thrown the speed into Ronstar and hopefully his sire, Zoustar, throws the quality.”

Burns had purchased Miss Essembee for $150,000 out of the Baramul Stud draft at the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

A 5-time winner, the daughter of Flying Spur is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Spinning Boy and to the Champion Griffin in Hong Kong in 2011, Bear Hero.

Currently almost $900,000 ahead of his nearest pursuer Spirit Of Boom in the race for leading first-crop sire, Zoustar stands at Widden Stud in 2018 for a fee of $60,500.