Chris Waller and Star Thoroughbreds have had some outstanding mares and by the end of this season we might be adding classy Zoustar girl Olentia to that list.
Olentia won four of five starts as a three year-old filly and closed out her season with a win in the Group III ATC James Carr Stakes (1400m) and was resuming from a spell in the Benchmark 88 event over 1200m.
Sent out favourite with James McDonald on board, Olentia was a class above her rivals, travelling smoothly back in the field before zooming clear to clear to win by a couple of lengths eased down.
“She’s come back really well, big and strong with the right temperament and is ready to announce I’m here and take on some bigger things,” said Chris Waller, who only elected to run Olentia when her stablemate Extremely Lucky was scratched.
“From the draw, I said to James if you can be within three lengths of them turning for home she should be right.”
A $310,000 Magic Millions purchase for Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency P/L from the Tyreel Stud draft, Olentia has the overall record of five wins from six starts with prizemoney just shy of $280,000 and will now head back to Black Type company.
“I think she’ll join into the elite company as well and right at the top, it’s just a matter of when and there is no rush,” Waller said.
She is a half-sister to Group III winner Wandabaa, stakes-winner Malkovich and Group III placed Seewhatshebrings. Olentia is the third stakes-winner among seven winners from seven to race from terrific producer Mabkhara, whose colt by Capitalist sold for $140,000 at Magic Millions this year to Darby Racing/ De Burgh Equine.
Mabkhara comes from the Asawir branch of the Easy Date family featuring Group I winners Rewaaya and Sense of Occasion so Olentia is going to be a very valuable broodmare prospect for the future.
Mabkhara was covered last spring by I Am Invincible after missing to Cosmic Force.
Olentia looks to be a potential spring star for Zoustar, who is fully booked at Widden Stud at a fee of $220,000.
