Zoustar Irons in the Fire

Zoustar narrowly missed posting a new stakes-winner on Saturday at Rosehill when Mizzy came up short by a nose when second in the Group III ATC Ming Dynasty, while his two star colts Zousain and Lean Mean Machine showed they were on track for spring when participating in a raceday barrier trial for notorious non starter Chautauqua.

Sadly for the connections of Chautauqua, he again chose not to jump, leaving the gates at his leisure some 10 lengths behind the field, but the picture was a much brighter for Zoustar’s young guns, both prepared by Chris Waller.

Zousain won the trial, while Lean Mean Machine hit the line well for fourth.

James McDonald partnered Zousain and offered the following comments.

“Lovely horse going the right way. He pulled up having a really good blow so he’ll improve a lot off that.”

Chris Waller was delighted with the ruin.

“He’ll go to the Run To The Rose, then the Golden Rose, Coolmore Stud Stakes. He was a little sharper than the stablemates so you’d probably expect him to be our pick in the Run To The Rose. The set weights and penalties scale will suit him the best of ours too,” he said.

Lean Mean Machine was ridden by Tye Angland.

“Good trial. Nice horse that had a decent blow so he’s got more improvement to come,” he said.

Lean Mean Machine will also look towards the Caulfield Guineas.

“He’s probably more a Guineas horse, he looks like a miler and I was happy with his trial. He’ll probably also kick off in the Run To The Rose,” Waller added.

Anthony Cummings will no doubt have bigger goals ahead for Zoustar filly Mizzy, who has now had a frustrating four placings from five starts following her nose loss in the Group III ATC Ming Dynasty to talented colt Danawi.

Mizzy is the sixth stakes-horse for Widden Stud’s Zoustar, who is fully booked at a fee of $60,500 this spring