The Zoustar colt Growing Empire continued on a rapid upward trajectory and will head to a winter break after a four-and-a-half length romp in Saturday's Group III Breeders' Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
Making all the running for Mark Zahra, the Ciaron Maher-trained colt drifted to the centre of the track on straightening and looked a class above his rivals.
The Yes, Yes, Yes filly Flattered finished second, a half-neck ahead of the Exceedance filly Flyer, whose half-sister Treasurway won the race last year.
Narrowly beaten by Chateau Miraval at Randwick in February when racing greenly on debut, Growing Empire progressed to a two-length win in the Listed MVRC Valley Pearl (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 23.
"I'm surprised really. He's a very good colt, but he had a few tricks that we had to iron out early in his career," Maher said.
"It’s great to train a winner for Mr Zhang and Yulong. I think he’s a pretty progressive colt. He’ll probably have a breather now, prepare for spring, and improve again.
“He was a little bit immature mentally, but he’s come along in leaps and bounds, and there were no surprises today.
“Mark did his track assessment prior to the races and thought that was the place to be. The horse had a bit of a look around, so he might have been getting away from the winning post.”
Mark Zahra said he was happy to go along with Growing Empire when he began to drift out.
“When I asked him to let rip, he had a look at the winning post and it was very soft.
“He was laying out as well, but I let him go where he was happy in the straight.”
The son of Zoustar was a $700,000 purchase for Yulong from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. He is a half-brother to Group III placed Dancing Alone from Group II placed Snitzel mare Miles of Krishan, a half-sister to Group I winner Il Quello Veloce, stakes-winner Donna Cattiva and to the dam of Group III Canberra Black Opal Stakes winner Holmes a Court.
Vinery Stud purchased Miles Of Krishan from the Newhaven Park Stud draft for $500,000 at the 2017 National Broodmare Sale.
Miles of Krishan has a yearling filly by I Am Invincible and a weanling filly by Zoustar. She was covered by I Am Invincible again last year.
