With two wins from four starts in lesser grade, Zoustar filly Zou Dancer appeared to face a tough task in the Group III VRC Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday, but she rose to the challenge to post a commanding victory over Group I VRC Oaks winner Personal.
Trained by Leon and Troy Corstens, Zou Dancer was having her first run after a short let up following a facile win over the same course and distance in December.
Partnered by Jamie Kah, the filly was dazzling over the concluding stages opening up to win by five lengths taking her overall record to three wins from five starts with prizemoney just shy of $200,000
“We’re looking towards the Guineas (G1 Australian Guineas) with her as she travelled up on the pace and still had plenty in the tank coming to the corner,” said co-trainer Troy Corstens, who was quick to praise Zou Dancer’s previous trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
“We’ve only had her for this preparation, but she came to us in great order from Tony and Calvin. They told us we were getting a really good horse and they were right.”
A $150,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Newgate Farm draft for Bennett Racing/McEvoy Mitchell Racing, Zou Dancer was bred by Henderson Racing and Cook Bloodstock.
She is the best of three winners from Investigates, a winning Strategic daughter of Group I VRC Oaks winner Tributes.
Fernrigg Farm bought Investigates from an Inglis Digital Online Sale in 2020 for $19,000, but she unfortunately lost the foal she was carrying and appears to now be in foal to Star Witness.
Zou Dancer is the 17th stakes-winner for Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar.
