One to Watch – Sandown

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday Feb 24

Zoustar has had some promising winners of late and we can add this exciting debut juvenile winner, who carries the colours of Everest winning owner Bon Ho, to the list.

The John Sadler trained Starry Legend was expected to run well in the 1000m juvenile contest, but dished out a galloping lesson to his hapless rivals.

He powered to an early lead after a fast start from the gates under Mick Dee and then kicked away in the straight to win by nearly four lengths.



"He's delivered, we've liked him for a long time but he's only gone as far as 800 metres in his training and you just wonder. But as happy as I am, it hasn't surprised me," Sadler said.

"It was amazing really, the gate speed, it was almost as if the others missed the start.

"You think to yourself through the race that you hope he isn't running through the bridle but to see him give that kick inside the 200 metres showed that he wasn’t. He's a very promising horse.”

Starry Legend may have another run in the VOBIS Gold Rush and then head to the paddock for a break, but is obviously a colt with untapped potential.

Starry Legend as a yearling.

A $500,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Segenhoe draft for his trainer, Starry Legend was bred by Phil Wilton and is a little light on pedigree being the third winner, but first metro winner from five to race from Darley bred Savsenga.

She was a minor winner by Reset, whose grand-dam Intrepidity was a triple Group I winner rated the Champion European 3YO Filly of 1993.

Savsenga has a yearling filly and colt foal by All Too Hard and was covered last spring by Magna Grecia (IRE).

Zoustar also won the previous race with three year-old gelding Bellinger shaking off maiden status with a dominant two and  three-quarter length win over 1500m.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Ive Print (Rs0mw) 1000m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Good(4) Time: 0:57.72
1
Starry Legend
- 2c Zoustar (AUS) x Savsenga (AUS) (Reset (AUS))
Tnr: J D Sadler Rdr: M J Dee 58
2
3.8
De Long Star
- 2f Squamosa (AUS) x Ruby Trois (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: D Yendall 56
3
5.6
Square Cut
- 2g Kuroshio (AUS) x Legcut (AUS) (Danerich (AUS))
Tnr: John McArdle Rdr: J Mott 58
4
5.7
Tempest Charm
- 2f Trust In A Gust (AUS) x Magic Pulse (AUS) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: M J Walker 56
5
5.8
Feudal Empire
- 2c Capitalist (AUS) x Belle Couture (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jamie Kah 58
6
7.3
Oracolo
- 2g Rich Enuff (AUS) x Balsamico (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: L Currie 58
7
11.8
Grinzinger Queen
- 2f Dundeel (NZ) x Boston Symphony (AUS) (Street Sense (USA))
Tnr: J Warren & D Krongold Rdr: Beau Mertens 56
More Reading...
Darley Announce 2027 European Fees -Night of Thunder Soars to €450,000
It will be Dubawi central at Darley in 2027 with the legendary 24YO sire priced at £350,000, but the roster is topped by his champion son Night of Thunder at €450,000 and there are three more G1 winning sons or grand-sons of Dubawi also added to a power packed roster.
Doing Time Wins $100,000 Sprinters Challenge at Riccarton
Lee Callaway shared many jockeys’ rooms with Chris Johnson throughout his riding career, so it was only fitting that the Waikouaiti trainer took out the inaugural running of the Chris Johnson Three-Year-Old Sprinters Challenge (1200m) at Riccarton on Wednesday with Doing Time.
One to Watch – Mornington
A homebred for Seymour Bloodstock with an intriguing pedigree opened her account with a stylish win at Mornington on Tuesday.
Frankel Heads Juddmonte Euro Roster at £350,000
Fresh from siring outstanding young stayer Point of Law (GB) to win the $10m Group I VRC Melbourne Cup, champion sire Frankel will again top the roster at Banstead Manor Stud for Juddmonte.
Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week is Out of the Gate!
Celebrating 140 years of racing and thoroughbred culture, Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week presented by GROW Southern Highlands will span three weekends, from 19th November to 6th December.
Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx
From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.
Racing Industry Mourns Much Loved Izzy Neale
The thoroughbred racing industry is devastated tonight following news that apprentice jockey Izzy Neale, aged 22, has tragically died as the result of a race fall at Warren on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 11
Here is the full list of 46 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Remembering Northerly – The Greatest Caulfield Cup Winner This Century
It's Caulfield Cup week, and what better moment to revisit the life and times of one of the greatest - if not the greatest - Caulfield Cup winner of the modern era.
Inglis Digital Purchase Iron Hawk to Tackle G3 TAB Mile
Harness racing trainer Barry Purdon bought Iron Hawk last year with New Zealand Cup Week in mind, and now the moment has arrived, with the stakes performer set to tackle the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on Wednesday.