Written by Paul Vettise
Leon and Troy Corstens have been enjoying a successful run with the progeny of Zoustar and recently welcomed the star of their show Ranting (NZ) back into the stable.
The Geelong trainers rate the colt as a potential top-liner and their opinion of the 3-year-old is highlighted by the fact that all but one of his seven starts have been in Group company.
Widden Stud stallion Zoustar is also the sire of a pair of Ranting’s progressive stablemates Zou Dancer and The Astrologist, who will both chase higher honours during their summer preparations.
Ranting finished second on debut last season and ran third in the G3 Breeders’ S. at Morphettville before he was given a break.
He placed in both the G2 Danehill S. and the G3 Vain S. earlier this term before he beat Hanseatic (Street Boss {USA}) and Anders (Not A Single Doubt) in the G3 Blue Sapphire S. in the spring and was turned out after an unplaced run in the G1 Coolmore Stud S.
“He’s probably our best one and he’s just come back. He’ll be set for the G1 Oakleigh Plate, he’s a serious horse – the real deal,” Troy Corstens said.
“He’ll be set for the G1 Oakleigh Plate, he’s a serious horse – the real deal.” - Troy Corstens
Ranting was bought out of Westbury Stud’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale with Malua Racing and Flemington Bloodstock signing the docket for $280,000.
The colt is from the family of Group 1 winners Danelagh (Danehill {USA}), Vengeance Of Rain (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Dizelle (NZ) and Pinot (Pierro) and is raced by high-profile owner Rupert Legh and partners.
Ranting (NZ) as a yearling
Zou Dancer won for the second time in three starts for the stable when she was successful in an age group event at Flemington at the weekend.
“She’s a lovely filly and still quite immature so we’re very mindful of that. There is a stakes race in Tassie at the weekend, but that might be a bit too soon for her,” Corstens said.
“There’s a good option on New Year’s Day and the day after so we’ll let her get over Saturday and roll out a plan after that.
“She was with Tony and Calvin McEvoy and the boys always had a really good opinion of her. She failed first-up and went for a really good spell and since she came back we’ve been of the same opinion.
“It’s just been a matter of getting her to settle and to do things properly and we think that we’ve done that.”
Bound for Queensland
The Astrologist was a last-start winner of the VOBIS Gold Bullion at Pakenham and is headed to the rich Magic Millions race day at the Gold Coast.
“He’s booked on a plane to Queensland on December 29. He’ll run the week before and back-up into the Magic Millions day. He’s a lovely horse and he’s got it all in front of him as well.
“He’s got a lot of raw talent and I know he’s four, but he’s still putting it all together.”
The Astrologist has won four of his appearances and has yet to miss a cheque in his 11-start career.
The Astrologist
