Narrowly beaten on debut at Eagle Farm, the progressive 3-year-old Zousain gelding Mister Bianco made it two from three when taking the inside route to triumph in the Access Insulation Sunshine Coast Hcp (1300m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Ridden by Michael Rodd for Paul Shailer, Mister Biaco fought on strongly to defeat the Toronado (IRE) gelding Toro Strike by
“He’s an interesting horse with a fair bit of talent. I thought if he could execute today, he could get the job done,” Shailer said.
“There were worrying signs mid-race when he was pulling with his head in the air. He had trouble getting into the clear and shied away from the other horse when he copped a bump.
”He has plenty to learn. I’m unsure how far he will get this preparation, but he has done a great job thus far.
“We were concerned by the lack of tempo in the race because we did not want to lead and expose early because he is a far better chaser than a front-runner. There was a bunny in front of us, and he was able to run it down. There is plenty of improvement in him. He is a good type with much to learn mentally, but he is heading in the right direction.”
Mister Bianco was a $70,000 purchase for his trainer from the Ambergate Farm draft at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
He is the fourth winner from as many to race for the stakes-placed Pins mare Orutan, a half-sister to the dam of Group 1 NZ Two Thousand Guineas winner Pier (Proisir) out of the Group II MataRC Breeders Stakes winner Naturo (Postponed).
Dream Thoroughbreds/Bluegrass Bloodstock (FBAA) shelled out $16,000 for Orutan’s Showtime filly consigned by Ambergate Farm to the 2024 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
Orutun visited Zousain last spring after missing to the Widden Stud stallion in 2022.
With ten first-crop winners, Zousain finished equal second with Tassort on the first-season sire table last season, behind only Too Darn Hot (GB).
The son of Zosutar stands for $27,500 at the Widden Valley showpiece this spring.
