Zoustar filly Sweetened impressed when making a winning career debut in the bet365 Odds Drift Protector 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate (1125m) at Geelong on Thursday.
Ridden by Damien Oliver for Ben and JD Hayes, Sweetened was caught three-wide but finished strongly to win by two lengths from the Rich Enuff filly Miss Subtly, her fourth second placing from as many starts. The Star Witness filly Cover Star was three-quarter of a length back in third.
"It's a great result; we have always liked her. She's been a horse with which the stable has had to be very patient. She hasn't been the soundest horse," Ben Hayes told racing.com.
“She has not broken down but has really immature joints.
“She was a beautiful type at the sales. She did have a few little issues but we took the risk. Looking at her in the mounting yard, she has improvement to come in the coat.
"She was still a bit green and doing a bit wrong, so I'm excited about her.
“We nominated her for the Thousand Guineas, but that might come up a bit quick.”
“She's a nice filly that trialled well, Oliver said.
"She began OK but did not have the speed to get near the lead, so I had her where she was comfortable.
"She was under a little bit of pressure around the turn but responded well and hit the line nicely.
"The heavy track was not a problem, and this was the first time she has been let off the bit.
"She is a city-class horse, for sure."
Carrying the red and white stripes of Jonathan Munz, Sweetened was a $300,000 purchase for Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (BAFNZ)/Lindsay Park Racing from the Fernrigg Farm draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
A half-sister to stakes-placed Aidensfield (Dissident), Sweetened is the fourth foal of the talented Star Thoroughbred colour-bearer Muscovado. The daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown (USA) was a 3-time winner and placed in the Listed Reginald Allen Hcp.
A daughter of the Group II Surround Stakes, Group II Premiere Stakes, and Group II Shannon Hcp winner On Type (Zeditave), Muscovado is a half-sister to Group III McNeil Stakes winner Sugar Babe (Exceed And Excel) and to the dam of Group III winner and young Aquis stallion Bellevue Hill (Pierro).
Sparta Racing bought Muscovado's More Than Ready (USA) filly for $150,000 at Inglis Easter in April.
After foaling a Lonhro colt last spring, Muscovado was covered by Street Boss (USA).
