The first leg of the Darley Princess Series, the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) attracted a big field of quality fillies covering a wide range of form lines and it was up and comer Zougotcha that took the quantum leap to score a stylish victory at Randwick.
Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Willie Pike, Zougotcha had three runs last season for a win, a second and a fifth placing in a Listed race in Brisbane in June, but was taking on some seasoned stakes performers for this assignment.
She enjoyed a good run in transit and swept to the front turning for home with race favourite In Secret held up in traffic.
Zougotcha kept up a good gallop to win by a length over the unlucky In Secret with another Zoustar filly in North Star Lass grabbing third place.
Willie Pike was impressed with Zougotcha, who was there to win from the start.
“It was a nice effort and she just felt on today from the moment I got on her in the prelim and when she left the gates she was just on… all I had to do was steer her and she took over and did the rest,” Pike said.
Chris Waller confirmed Zougotcha would progress through the Princess Series on her way to the Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m) in October.
A $500,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Widden Stud draft for Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock, Zougotcha runs for a syndicate of stable clients with her breeders Widden Stud and Robert Anderson retaining an interest.
With two wins and a second from four starts, Zougotcha has won over $200,000 with the promise of more to come.
She is a full sister to stakes-winner Persuader and half-sister to stakes-winner The Actuary being the fourth winner from stakes-placed Fast Talker, a half-sister by Fastnet Rock to stakes-winner Crystal Dreamer.
Fast Talker comes from the family of Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily and was covered last year by Written Tycoon, but has not had a foal since Zougotcha.
Zougotcha is the 31st stakes-winner for Zoustar, who stands at Widden Stud at a fee of $198,000.
