Group One colt Zoustar has bounced back from his disappointing Canterbury Stakes failure by winning the opening heat of this morning’s Rosehill barrier trials.
Zoustar was ridden by his regular jockey Jim Cassidy to a soft win in the 1030m trial, winning by one and quarter lengths in 63.3 seconds.
The $20 million colt had two options this morning as his trainer Chris Waller had entered the three-year-old for a 900m heat against his own age as well as the stronger open age heat over 1030m where he met several other Group winners including stablemate Royal Descent.
The trial showed Zoustar is back on track for his next start in the $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes over 1200m at Randwick on Saturday week.
Waller was looking for a strong trial from Zoustar after his disappointing first-up failure in the G1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick on March 15.
He advised that Zoustar trialled without any of his normal race gear as he intends to race him in the TJ Smith without a tongue tie or nose roll.
Royal Descent finished third behind Zoustar in today’s trial. She was also a dual entry and had been drawn to run against TJ Smith entry Rebel Dane in his 900m heat.
Glen Boss flew from Melbourne to ride G1 winner Rebel Dane in his trial and would be pleased with his easy effort to finish a close second to the noted speedster Zaratone.
The Waller pair Disciple and Dystopia are also entered for the same heat as Rebel Dane along with Aeronautical, Emblems, Ironstein and Pleiades.
In other carnival developments from the Waller stable the leading trainer is preparing up to five horses to start in the $3 million Doncaster Mile at Randwick on Saturday week after adding Queensland Derby winner Hawkspur to his confirmed list.
Hawkspur had the option of stepping up to 2400m this week in the $1.5 million BMW at Rosehill.
Waller's other confirmed Doncaster runners include Royal Descent, Sacred Falls and My Kingdom Of Fife with Catkins a chance to join them after she runs at Rosehill on Saturday in the G2 Emancipation Stakes.
Boban is still in the mix despite Waller being in favour of sending him straight to the $4 million Queen Elizabeth over 200m on April 19.
His beaten George Ryder Stakes favourite Red Tracer will not start again until the $1 million Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Randwick on April 19 while Arinosa requires a long spell after suffering a leg injury in last week’s Coolmore Classic.
Foreteller is among Waller’s BMW entries but may be freshened for the Queen Elizabeth before a Doomben Cup campaign. Junoob is set to run in the BMW along with at least two other Waller-trained stayers.
Clarry Conners had been up in the air about Dear Demi but now favours a start in the Doncaster before backing the mare up seven days later in the Queen Elizabeth Strakes.
