Zoustar Mare Madam Rouge, Another Widden Bred SW

Talented Zoustar mare Madam Rouge has been knocking on the door of a Black Type win for some time now with four previous seconds in stakes races before casting off the bridesmaid tag on Saturday at Randwick with a tenacious victory in the Group III ATC Nivison Stakes (1200m).

Trained by Chris Waller, who also prepared her sire Zoustar, Madam Rouge was ridden a positive race by Brenton Avdulla and defied all challengers to win by a long head over the favourite Reelem Ruby, who is also busting to win a stakes race.

The $500,000 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) in two weeks time seems the likely next target for Madam Rouge, who has the overall record of three wins and four seconds from 14 starts with prizemoney in excess of $330,000.

“If there’s a half-million dollar race there ready to be taken then we’ll try to take it,” said stable representative Charlie Duckworth.

“It’s good to get a Group win for a mare like her. We have always thought a lot of her, but she hadn’t been able to reach her full potential.

“Hopefully we are right on track to get there now.”

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 best of two winners from stakes-winning Al Maher mare Cabernet, a daughter of stakes-winner Golden Weekend.

Madam Rouge is the 12th stakes-winner for Widden Stud’s outstanding young sire Zoustar, who stands this spring at a fee of $154,000.

Madam Rouge carries a double cross of champion sire Danehill, a factor that has proven a real positive for the progeny of Zoustar, who is from a daughter of champion sire Redoute’s Choice.

Seven of his 12 stakes-winners have the double cross of Danehill including his best horse, triple Group I winner and $5million earner Sunlight.