A full sister to Group I VRC Newmarket Handicap winner Zoutori, three year-old Zoustar filly Kiku looked a stakes-winner in the making at her first two runs back from a spell in midweek company and she delivered on her potential when charging home to win the Group III ATC Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Trained by Chris Waller for a big team of Star Thoroughbreds owners, Kiku has been patiently allowed to develop by her trainer with a win and four placings from her first five starts in midweek races before blossoming this preparation.
Ridden back in the field from a wide draw by Tommy Berry, she struck a few bumps with So You Think colt Poland after turning for home, but once she hit top gear the race was all over.
Kiku hit the line hard to beat race favoruite The Irishman by a length.
“That was a massive effort today as she was three wide most of the way,” said Tommy Berry.
“I just loved the way she put them away, she has much better things in store.”
A $300,000 Magic Millions purchase for Star Thoroughbreds from the Amarina Farm draft, Kiku has the overall record of four wins and four placings from eight starts with prizemoney in excess of $244,000.
She was bred by Frank Meduri and is the second winner from Atotori, a half-sister by Haradasun to Group III winner Castlethorpe from an international family that includes Epsom Derby winner and sire New Approach.
While her $1.7million earning full brother Zoutori is best known as a sprinter, he has won up to 1600m and the female family has enough depth to suggest even slightly longer trips can suit Kiku.
Atotori died earlier last year and her final foal, a yearling filly by Divine Prophet made $80,000 at Magic Millions this year when bought by Australian Bloodstock/Lees Racing/Tasman Bloodstock.
Kiku is the 21st stakes-winner for Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar, who had two individual million dollar yearlings at Inglis Easter last week and posted an average of $390,625..
