Zoustar mare wins $1m Magic Millions Snippets

Already a winner at Gr.3 and Listed level, Zoustar mare Madam Rouge landed aother big payday when winning the $1m It’s Live! In Queensland Magic Millions Snippets over 1200m at Aquis Park Gold Coast on Saturday.

Winning trainer Chris Waller had been considering running Madam Rouge in the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares instead but thankfully drawing stall 1 made the decision to run in the Snippets easier.

Amongst the favourites, Madam Rouge settled in midfield before jockey James McDonald angled her into the clear at the 250m marker and overhauled Godolphin’s Isaurian to win by a head.

"The second horse had me where he wanted me but I was on a superior horse on the day and she got the job done," said McDonald.

Just Zerene was another Zoustar winner on Saturday when carrying the China Horse Club colours to victory in a 1000m handicap at Murray Bridge for Tony and Calvin McEvory and jockey Barend Vorster.

Another Zoustar winner for the same yard was Zoulah who, after finishing fourth in a Listed race on debut last July, got off the mark in impressive fashion in a fillies’ and mares’ maiden plate over 1623m at Sale on Sunday. Zoulah smashed the three-year-old mile track record.

Zoulah carries the same colours as superstar Zoustar mare Sunlight, who is back in training after recovering from the splint bone injury she picked up in December. She could run at Royal Ascot this summer.

Mitchell Racing’s Flemington Foreman Michael Shepherdson said: “Connections were pretty keen to go back to back in a Newmarket, but we will miss those early couple of races.

“It just might mean she will end up in Sydney for her main targets and then there is always the option and the dream of going to Royal Ascot with her as well.”

Another Zoustar winner over the weekend was Inner Flame at Sha Tin.