Zoustar’s Dangerous Dozen for 2023

Racing Analyst Adam Brookes discusses 12 exciting prospects by Zoustar to add to your trackers for this season…

We start with Zoustar’s Gr.1 winner from 2022, Cheveley Park Stakes heroine LEZOO. Unlucky not to be unbeaten, Lezoo was too good for subsequent Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Meditate in the Cheveley Park. A 7f Guineas trial could tell us whether she goes for the Gr.1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas over 1m at Newmarket or the Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup over 6f at Royal Ascot.

Another set for a Guineas trial in Britain is COUPLET. She was deeply impressive when beating an easy subsequent winner over 6f at Haydock on debut and was then bought privately by Lezoo’s owners Andrew Rosen and Marc Chan. She has physical scope and will relish 7f.

Yet another Zoustar filly heading for a Guineas trial, over in Ireland, is NOT EVEN CLOSE. She was a cosy debut winner over 7f at Dundalk and, like Couplet, has also been entered in the Gr.1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches in France.

A Zoustar colt on track for a 2000 Guineas trial is ZOOLOGY. He was a very easy debut winner over 6f at Yarmouth and had subsequent Listed winner Proverb behind. Zoology found a few too streetwise in the Gr.1 Middle Park Stakes but still finished ahead of Never Just A Dream, who won an AW Fast-Track Qualifier next time from several future winners. Zoology has strengthened over the winter and is due to return in March.

In France, EVERYTHING COUNTS could be very exciting. He made a winning debut at Deauville in November and both him and the horse he beat (the Tweenhills-bred subsequent winner Le Tabou) have been entered in the Gr.1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains. 

ZOUKY looked a filly headed to Stakes races when winning both starts in 6f novices, as did SILENT WORDS who tanked through her winning debut over 5f at Newcastle. Silent Words' owner Clipper Logistics also have homebred Zoustar filly FERENSBY, who was chinned on the line at Wolverhampton in November.

Other winning Zoustar fillies who should make their mark at a higher level after winning a maiden/novice are PASTICHE, who was well on top upped to 7f at Southwell, and DISTINGUISHED LADY, who cost 400,000gns as a breezer and won readily at Chelmsford after a break. Distinguished Lady had also finished in front of two subsequent Gr.3 performers on debut. 

ZU RUN, born and raised at Tweenhills and unlucky not to have won both his novices over 7f has a target at Newbury’s Greenham meeting and could be well handicapped off 89.

Finally, it’s worth keeping a close eye on MOLAQAB as, while he was only third on debut at Doncaster in November, he was sent off favourite and left poorly placed. He could be a huge improver in 2023 – it certainly promises to be another successful year for Zoustar!