It has been far from smooth sailing for this talented Zoustar colt, but he finally made it to the races at Wyong on Thursday and put the best foot forward.
The Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace trained Dark Halo has been a problem child at the barriers and after being scratched from a midweek meeting earlier this month was sent back to the barrier trials and tried with a barrier blanket.
That proved successful and he duly bolted in that trial by nine and a half lengths, but race day can be a little different so there were no doubt some anxious moments for connections until he safely left the stalls at Wyong with Jason Collet on board.
Dark Halo surged to the front and cantered home to win the 1100m maiden by four lengths and will take good confidence from the experience clocking a second quicker time than the other 1100m maiden run earlier in the day.
“He was really impressive in that trial and he’s brought it to race day,” said Jason Collett.
“The barrier blanket did the job. He got the lead easily and quickened really well.”
A $280,000 Magic Millions purchase for Vinery from the Yulong draft, Dark Halo is the first named foal from Group III placed Written Tycoon mare Written Era, who comes from the family of Group I winners My Brilliant Star, Shot of Thunder, Lachlan River and Sudurka.
Written Era was bought by Yulong for $775,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and has a yearling filly by Tagaloa and is due to foal to him again.
Her two year-old colt by Alabama Express was bought by Ciaron Maher for $160,000 at Magic Millions this year.
