Four timer for Zoustar
Widden Stud’s headline stallion Zoustar sired four winners across Australia on Saturday.
The quartet of wins was provided by Kuzco Lad, who landed the fifth race of his career at Toowoomba, while Monte Ditto added a fourth victory to her CV at Rosehill and Zoulah was also winning for the fourth time when he landed a race at Murray Bridge.
Zoustar | Standing at Widden Stud
The quartet of winners was completed by Zounique, who landed the sixth race of his career at Newcastle.
Zoustar can lay claim to siring both the most expensive yearling and weanling sold in Australia in 2022 and he will stand the upcoming breeding season for a fee of $198,000 (inc GST).
Monbaher wins Banjo Paterson on protest
Monbaher (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) notched up his second win in Australia in dramatic fashion, after he was awarded the Banjo Paterson Series Final in the stewards’ room after initially crossing the line in second to Mimi's Award (Shamus Award).
Trainer Matt Cumani was somewhat bittersweet about the victory after the protest was upheld, saying, "It's a shame to win them like that," but full of praise for the horse in a messy race.
“I'm delighted for the horse, delighted for the owner. He's been a fantastic horse so far. They did slow it up a little bit which was a bit stop and start which didn't suit him," Cumani said.
Monte scores sentimental win for Koolman family
Hugh Bowman partnered Monte Ditto (Zoustar) to an emotional victory in the Midway H. at Rosehill, dedicating the win to the family of the late Anton Koolman.
Bowman wore a black armband in honour of the renowned bloodstock agent, who died last weekend aged 82.
The champion jockey's association with the family extended beyond racing with Bowman attending Scots College with Koolman's son Andrew, making Monte Ditto's victory a special moment for them all.
"It's great to win in the colours of the family," Bowman said.
"I have known this family for a very long time and to win on this horse this afternoon means a lot to me, and I'm sure it does to them too.
"My thoughts are with all the family."
Deep Romance chalks up second win
The wet weather didn’t throw cold water on the chances of Deep Romance (Deep Field) as she scooted home at Rosehill to win the second race of her career.
Despite finishing sixth of 10 runners in her previous appearance, trainer Matt Dunn was confident the filly was capable of bouncing back on Saturday.
"I was a bit concerned when we were three lengths behind the second-last horse and off the bridle at the 900 (metres)," Dunn said.
"But you could see she was just starting to get into her work and that is definitely the way to ride her.
"She wasn't suited by being ridden on the speed last start and she has proved today that she has got a great finish on her, even on Heavy ground, when ridden that way."
Profondo to trial
Group 1 winner Profondo (Deep Impact {Jpn}) will tune up for his next preparation with a trial at Warwick Farm on Monday.
Josh Parr is set to ride the horse for the first time in a 740-metre Polytrack trial, but trainer Richard Litt is remaining tight-lipped as to plans for the colt, who will be seeking redemption following a string of lacklustre runs last preparation.
Profondo winning the G1 Spring Champion S. last year | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
"I haven't really got too much to say about him other than he is having his first trial and we are taking every day as it comes," Litt told Racing.com. "Nice and steady and we'll regroup after the trial.
"He spelled very well and now we've got lots of time. We brought him in nice and early and we're just cruising with him at the moment and we couldn't be happier with his progress.”
Artorius warms up for July Cup tilt
Artorius (Flying Artie) warmed up for this tilt at the G1 July Cup with a 800-metre gallop on Newmarket’s July course on Friday.
The 3-year-old, who ran a fast-finishing third at Royal Ascot in the G1 Platinum Jubilee S., worked alongside the five-time-winning sprinter Ancient Times (GB) (Exceed And Excel) and co-trainer Sam Freedman was on hand to oversee the exercise and was happy with the morning's work.
“They just worked over four furlongs and basically quickened up the last two furlongs (400 metres) and he was just hitting top gear on the line. He's very fit and he's pulled up very well. He seemed to handle the track well enough. I walked it yesterday and we don't have this sort of track in Australia,” he said.
Of the stiff six furlongs (1200 metres) of the July Cup, Freedman added, “It should suit him. I hope that when they come down the hill from the three (600 metres) to the two (400 metres) that he's in touch with them. He's going to be finishing very hard but he's just obviously got to be a little bit closer. It's been the story of his career that he's often left himself a little bit much to do.”
Further travels could be on the cards for Artorius, who is pencilled in to contest the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in Deauville on August 7 if he comes out of the July Cup well.
