Sensational Return for Zoustar Filly
Champion trainer Chris Waller already has two stakes-winning colts by Zoustar and may well have a future stakes-winning filly in his stable judging by the brilliant return win of Madam Rouge at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Madam Rouge scored an easy victory at Warwick Farm at her second start back in March and was then sent to the paddock. Tuned up with two recent trials behind quality colts Performer and More Sundays, she was fit and ready to fire in the Benchmark 71 event over 1200 metres against older mares.
Ridden quietly by James McDonald from an outside gate. Madam Rouge was never closer than three wide and forged clear to win by half a length in an eye-catching performance.
Labelled by McDonald as an ‘immense talent’, Madam Rouge will be spoiled for choice in terms of stakes options in coming weeks with the Darley Princess Series in Sydney and beyond that the Group I MRC Thousand Guineas at Caulfield on October 13 for which she has been nominated.
A $310,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Widden Stud draft for Waller Racing/ Mulcaster Bloodstock, Madam Rouge runs for a syndicate of stable clients that also includes Raffles Racing and Widden Stud, who co-bred the filly.
Madam Rouge is the first winner for stakes-winning Al Maher mare Cabernet, a daughter of stakes-winner Golden Weekend.
The reigning Champion First Season Sire, Zoustar is fully booked at Widden Stud at a fee of $60,500.