GR.2 ONE-TWO FOR ZOUSTAR
Australian first-season sire Zoustar continued his fantastic start when his sons Lean Mean Machine and Zousain finished first and second in the Gr. 2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.
Zousain, like his sire part-owned by Qatar Racing, lined up as favourite for the 10-runner race and beat all bar his paternal half-brother Lean Mean Machine, who hugged the rail in the home straight and headed Zousain 100m from the line.
Lean Mean Machine became a third individual Stakes winner for Zoustar - who won the Sires' Produce in 2013 - after Sunlight and Zousain.
The race was not without incident as before the stalls opened, the heavily-backed Graff and outsider Adoradiva were withdrawn after rearing in the gates. Then Mischievousmarilyn stumbled and sadly broke down, unshipping Craig Williams 300m after the start.
With natural front runner Adoradiva out of the picture, Zousain took up the lead and stayed there until late on, just edging out dead-heaters Boomsara and Sizzling Ace for the runner-up spot.
Lean Mean Machine was bred and sold by Glenlogan Park for $250,000 at the 2017 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale. He was bought by Aquis Farm, Raffles Racing and Blue Sky Bloodstock. He is trained by Chris Waller and was given a great ride by Corey Brown - congratulations to all the colt's connections.
The first two could re-oppose in the Gr. 1 J. J. Atkins Stakes. Another possible for that is their stable-companion The Autumn Sun who won at Randwick earlier in the day.
