The million-dollar Zoustar entire Schwarz needed to call on all his courage to triumph in a desperate finish to Saturday's Darley Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Ridden by James Mcdonald for John O'Shea and Tom Charlton, Schwarz did not have a lot of favours in the run. Caught wide the trip, Schwarz needed to reel in Shezanalister (Star Turn) before holding the fast-finishing finish of Arctic Glamour (Frosted) by a short half-head.
The winner of the Listed The Amanda Elliott at Flemington and the Group III Hawkesbury Guineas last season at three, Schwarz advances his record to four wins and a second from eight starts with earnings of $503,475.
"He's a lightly raced horse that had only one run at two, so he is still learning and gaining confidence and that will do him a world of good today.
"He is a quality horse, a beautiful animal. He is an expensive yearling for great clients, and to win a Group II bodes well for his future.
"I’m sure that Rosemont, in particular, will look forward to having him down there one day.
“It’s a long spring, so we will look at races like the Memsie and races in Sydney. We will work it out, and hopefully, he can get a Group 1.
James McDonald said there was merit in the win.
“It was an excellent win as he did not have anything go his way,” McDonald said.
“He travelled wide throughout. He was the best horse in the race and had to tough it out as he was a sitting duck a long way from home.”
A $1.25million Magic Millions purchase from the Widden Stud draft for Rosemont-Victorian Alliance/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/David Redvers Bloodstock, Schwarz was bred by Widden in partnership.
He is the first living foal of Group II MRC Angus Armanasco Stakes winner Summer Sham (Not A Single Doubt), a $650,000 purchase for David Revers from the Widden Stud draft at the 2019 National Broodmare Sale.
It’s been money well spent as Summer Sham has had three yearlings, all by Zoustar, sell for $1,250,000, $800,000, and at Easter this year, China Horse Club / Newgate / Go Bloodstock / Trilogy shelled out $1,550,000 for a brother to Schwarz.
A descendent of the blue hen Shantha’s Choice, Summer Sham has a weanling colt by Zoustar and trod the familiar path back to Widden Stud’s flagship stallion last spring.
