Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar has been on a winning roll of late and promising three year-old Saturn Star kept the momentum going with a stylish debut victory against a tough field at Rosehill on Wednesday.
On paper, the race was packed with talented blue-bloods and it produced a great contest with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Saturn Star leading throughout for Tim Clark and fighting off all challengers to win the 1200m maiden by half a length.
Saturn Star had the benefit of three trials this preparation to have him fit and ready to fire with Tim Clark riding him in all of them.
“He’s a big strong horse and it’s just taken him a bit of time to work it all out,” said Clark.
“I knew he’d be strong late and if something challenged him they would have to earn it. He fought strongly when he could feel them coming at him.
“I think he’ll be even better at 1400m or even a mile.”
Saturn Star was a $180,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Edinglassie draft for bloodstock agent James Bester, who also co-bred the gelding and shares in his ownership.
Saturn Star is the first winner for stakes-winning Fastnet Rock mare Saturn Rock, a daughter of stakes-winner Satin Robes.
Saturn Rock was bought by James Bester for $400,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and her current two year-old filly by I Am Invincible was sold at Inglis Easter this year for $280,000. She was covered last spring by So You Think.
Zoustar will have serious Group I contenders again on Saturday with his quality fillies Zougotcha and North Star Lass engaged for the Group I ATC Flight Stakes, while his older mare Kiku lines up in the Group I ATC Epsom Handicap.
