Exciting times ahead for Bennett Racing’s 3yo Zoustar filly Zaszou who smashed her opposition at Cranbourne on Thursday night.
A problematic barrier filly, she was sent to Julian Welsh’s for barrier education. Zaszou resumed after that time with an excellent 3rd behind 2 promising horses at Pakenham on the 3rd March.
If she jumped away cleanly at Cranbourne she did look a good thing and that’s exactly how Blake Shinn rode her. The filly jumped cleanly and Blake used her a bit early to lead –1200-1000m in 10.53s which was the fastest of the meeting then 10.98s from 1000-800m covering that 400m in a quick 21.51s – only good horses do that and still win running away. She steadied a little from the 800-400m then zipped away again in the races fastest split of 12.24s from the 400-200m – she then coasted to the line. She ran 8.34lens better than standard from the 1400-800mand that’s where she broke this field. Overall 7.92 lens better than standard –about 1 ¼ seconds better. Only 1 other 1400m race on the day – race 1 and she went quicker.
This was a very impressive and easy win. She worked early, then travelled – asked to sprint again then coasted to the line absolutely bolting in and in very good time. This may have been a Thursday Night 3yo F Maiden but that was the win of a future Stakes horse.
Zaszou was a 200k purchase from the 2022 Magic Millions Yearling Sale from good breeders Kitchwin Hills Draft. She took her overall record to 4 starts, 1 – 0 – 2 $30,400
As mentioned ZASZOUis a daughter of Champion sire Zoustar from the Gr3 pl Zabeel mare Zascoreress. Zascoreress is a ¾ sister to LAFLEUR (Zabeel) winner of ARC Royal S., Gr.2, Waikato RC Sir Tristram Fillies Classic, Gr.2 who in turn left AMARYLLIS (Red Ransom). ARC Darley Plte winner and PAPILIO (Redoute’s Choice) winner of the Hororata RC South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ S., L. Another ¾ sister the stakesplaced Zygadene left WILDFLOWER (Keeper) winner of the Rotorua Challenge P., L and 2d Waikato RC Herbie Dyke S., Gr.1.
More importantly though is the fact that ZASZOU hails from an outstanding family with her 4th dam the triple Gr1 winner HABIBTI winner of the Gr1 King Stand Stks,Gr1 July Cup Newmarket and the Gr1 Prix de’LAbbyede Longchamp. HABIBTI herself would leave the dam of Gr1 Australian Cup, Gr1 Makybe Diva Stks & Gr1 Memsie Stks winner HUMIIDOR as well as the dam of MORSHDI (SlipAnchor). Champion 3YO in Germany & Italy (Long) Grosser Preis von Baden,Gr.1, Derby Italiano, Gr.1 etc. HABIBTI was a sister to Sir Patrick Hogan’s Cambridge Stud NZ famous Blue Hen mare EIGHT CARAT dam of Gr1 winners OCTAGONAL, DIAMONDLOVER, KAAPSTAD, MARQUISE, MOUAWAD. Another of EIGHT CARAT’S daughters Cotehele House left the Champion DANEWIN and successful sire COMMANDS. Gr1 Caulfield Guineas winner SHOOTING TO WIN and his brother Leading Sire DEEP FIELD all trace to EIGHT CARAT.
Congratulations to all owners and special thankyou to Danny O’Brien and his Team and Julian Welsh and his Team for all the hard work and education that has gone into this potential stakes horse of the future.