The champion trainer’s Phar Lap run began with none other than Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) in 2015 and then claimed major honours from 2017-19 with Foxplay (Foxwedge), Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock) and Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).
Waller’s hold on the race never looked under any threat at Rosehill on Saturday with Funstar making all the play in front in the heavy conditions and asserted her authority in the closing stages for a dominant victory.
Funstar has now met Probabeel four times and has previously come out on top in their meetings in the G1 Flight S. and G2 Tea Rose S. The Kiwi filly reigned supreme in their G1 Surround S. clash and lost no caste in her latest defeat in the hands of Kerrin McEvoy.
“She’s the only Group 1 winner I’d had go into the race and she’s done a great job. Her first-up run was fantastic and she’d improved off that,” Waller said.
“Her first-up run was fantastic and she’d improved off that.” - Chris Waller
”It was a good test and Kerrin was in striking distance with 200 to go and we had to put the foot down and it was good to see her respond in the last 100 metres.”
Funstar reacted in style to hands and heels riding from James McDonald and pulled clear in the closing stages to win by 1.3l. Probabeel’s effort was admirable as she was under pressure before the turn and finished off gallantly in the run home.
Fellow New Zealander Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) took third money ahead of Aspect Ratio (Declaration Of War {USA}).
“James held her together for as long as he could and there as a challenge on and it was good to see her finish off so well,” Waller said.
Funstar battles through heavy conditions to win the G2 Phar Lap S.
The G1 Vinery Stud S. is likely to be Funstar’s next start, although the G1 Doncaster H. hasn’t been entirely discounted.
“The Vinery’s a good stepping stone toward the Oaks and she’s by Adelaide, who’s obviously a middle distance horse,” Waller said. “Does she need to running in the Doncaster as a 3-year-old? She could draw 20 against seasoned older horses.
“She will have a light weight of 49kg or similar and so will some 4-year-olds. I’m pretty confident we’ll be going to the Vinery. She’s a very good horse, I know that for certain.”
“I’m pretty confident we’ll be going to the Vinery. She’s a very good horse, I know that for certain.” – Chris Waller
McDonald said Funstar wasn’t entirely happy in the going, even though all five of her wins have been on rain-affected going.
“It might have looked easy, but I prefer her on better ground. Her work through the week was up a few notches, she’s a weapon,” McDonald said.
“She is just such a good horse and a good horse can get you out of trouble. It’s not her go leading, but she makes my job so easy, it’s a pleasure to be on her.
James McDonald celebrates the win
Funstar will make her next appearance in the G1 Vinery Stud S. and McDonald is predicting more of the same from the filly.
“She’ll be hard to beat for sure and Chris obviously puts his good horses in it and she’ll be no exception,” he said.
A half-sister to the G1 Queensland Oaks winner Youngstar (High Chaparral {Ire}), Funstar was purchased by agent Anton Koolman, who remains in the ownership syndicate, for $80,000 out of Bowness Stud’s consignment.
Funstar as a yearling
Her dam is Starspangled (Ire) (Danehill {USA}) won a minor race in Ireland and she’s produced six winners, including the dam of the dual Group 3 winner Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).
Starspangled is a sister to the G3 Cork Give Thanks S. Downtown with their dam the five-time Group 1 winner User Friendly (GB) (Slip Anchor {GB}).
