Zoustar out to net his owners an extra $4 million with sprint win

THERE are more than four million reasons why the owners of Zoustar will want their colt to triumph in Saturday's Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).

A group of women leave the Bendigo track in good spirits Cup day. Picture: Mark Evans

THERE are more than four million reasons why the owners of Zoustar will want their colt to triumph in Saturday's Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).

For starters, there's the $300,000 first prizemoney up for grabs.

Then there's another $4 million on offer, which is believed to be one of the bonuses included in the multi-million dollar stud deal with Widden.

Managing owner Sheriff Iskander told us yesterday Widden had won the bidding war, with the Hunter Valley stud standing Zoustar's late father Northern Meteor.

At The Track on Tour exclusively revealed Zoustar would head to Widden on Wednesday:

BREAKING: Widden look to have won race for Zoustar. Big tip is he'll race in their colours on Saturday

— christian nicolussi (@mrchrisnico) October 30, 2013

It sure was a frantic few days for Iskander. If he had any hair, it would have fallen out by now.

Iskander thought all deals were on hold after Zoustar's ordinary jump-out last Friday. But on Tuesday, after an impressive workout - and a wonderful sales pitch by trainer Chris Waller - Widden and Woodside Park Stud in Victoria were back in the race for the horse's services.

Iskander was delighted to have finally come to an agreement before Saturday's race up the Flemington straight.

The bloke has been dudded one too many times by "supposedly reputable players in the industry'', and was about to walk away from racing altogether. It was left to Waller to convince him Zoustar might be a horse worth hanging around for.

A win on Saturday will bring a $4 million bonus, and if Zoustar wins another Group 1, it will bring another $2 million add-on.

"I won't reveal figures, but the deal does include a couple of bonuses, with the major bonus Saturday, and one more if he wins another Group 1. After that it's all for Widden,'' Iskander said.

Sheriff Iskander just told me Zoustar's stud deal HAS been done with Widden. Extra coin if wins Coolmore

— christian nicolussi (@mrchrisnico) October 30, 2013

Iskander told us: "I think Zoustar belongs to Widden, especially being the son of the late Northern Meteor. And from the bottom of my heart, I really hope this horse goes on to be worth double the price Widden paid for us, because I think he's a fantastic horse, and they have been supportive of us since day one.''

Widden boss Antony Thompson said regardless of tomorrow's result, they were more than happy to have purchased Zoustar.

"Anything he does from now on is a bonus,'' Thompson said.

"His record to date is impeccable, he's shown everyone he's a superstar, and he looks so much like his sire Northern Meteor in every way, so I've got no doubts he'll be a great stallion.''

WALLER'S WORDS FOR THE HATERS

TRAINER Chris Waller had a clear message for the nay-sayers who took to social media and potted Zoustar and the figures being tossed around.

"Anyone who hasn't seen this horse or doesn't like the horse, come see him at the races,'' Waller said.

"Actually, the (knockers) are only a small minority, so I invite them to come see him at the stables. He's an absolute picture-perfect horse with a temperament of a kid's pony, who can run very, very fast.''

Waller said he was still keen on a trip to Royal Ascot, with Widden happy to accommodate any overseas mission that broadens his stud appeal.

MISSING LIFE ON THE FARM

WE NEVER thought we'd say it, but geez we wished we were at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. But only because we were at ... Bendigo.

Bendigo looked a pretty town, there were fresh sandwiches in the press box, and we met Puissance De Lune's owner Gerry Ryan, a real decent chap.

BENDIGO CUP PICTURE GALLERY

But there wasn't much else doing. One highlight was seeing the young girls try and blow the highest alcohol reading on the breath-testers provided at the exit gates. Give us Poverty Park any day.

A group of women leave the Bendigo track in good spirits Cup day. Picture: Mark Evans

THOMMO SET TO GO THUMP

ONE bloke who reckons he can get the better of short-priced favourite Zoustar in the Coolmore is rival trainer John Thompson.

Thompson starts Thump, and reckons she returned to his stable a completely different horse after spending two weeks working on a giant water walker.

The walker is owned by Peter Morgan, who was recommended to Thompson by rival trainer John Hawkes.

The way Thompson described it, we kept thinking of that 1980s movie, Cocoon (You know, the flick where all the oldies jump in a pool and hop back out all revived).

"The horse came back from Peter's in mint condition, and she had put on muscle I didn't know she had,'' said Thompson, whose Thump is a $17 hope with the TAB.

"Basically it's a walking machine in a pool, but the pool is much deeper, and the horse's hindquarters build up. When she came off the truck, I thought 'wow'. Even her trackwork rider who has ridden her her whole career said she felt stronger.''

Jockey Craig Williams commented on the strength of Thump after he rode her in a jump-out last Friday - the same one in which she beat home Zoustar and Sidestep - and even volunteered to ride her again in work on Tuesday.

Thompson won the Coolmore last year with Nechita. He would love to get the cash with Thump. There's every chance the filly could yet head to Perth for their carnival if all goes to plan.

Meanwhile, Thompson told us Peron had gone for a wind operation, but would be back in the autumn.

MELBOURNE... HARDLY A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

IT SEEMS humans aren't the only ones who suffer from asthma and respiratory-related problems.

We spotted this horse at Caulfield during the week with what appears to be a puffer attached to his face.

We were told it was a nebuliser, which basically helps administer medication to the lungs. We reckon it's a Melbourne thing given the Arctic-like conditions that have made bleak city even more, umm, bleak. You'd think it was a winter carnival down here.

A horse Anthony Cummings' Caulfield stables uses a nebuliser to clear its airways. Picture: Mark Evans

LITTLE RED RIDING BOOTS

TOMMY Berry was impossible to miss at Werribee yesterday when he rocked up to the track wearing the coolest red riding boots you'll see.

It's amazing what a few days down south can do to your fashion sense.

But Berry said his boots were actually snapped up earlier this year during his hugely successful riding stint in Hong Kong.

"They're my fast boots,'' Berry quipped.

"They love their red in Hong Kong, so I thought I'd buy a pair. They're definitely real. They cost me enough.''

Not one to take any shortcuts, Berry has less than a kilo to lose to make the 51kg required to steer Tres Blue in Tuesday's Cup.

HAZARDOUS BET

A WELL-KNOWN member of the Melbourne underworld had a nice collect on Long John winning the Caulfield Guineas.

But unfortunately the SP bookie who took the bet has since skipped town. Good move.

PANTHER'S PARTNER SEARCH

BROWN Panther's trainer Tom Dascombe became sick and tired of dealing with some of England's top jockeys, so he went in search of a hoop he could trust and rely on.

After sifting through more than 200 jockey names, Dascombe came to Richard Kingscote, a young bloke who had just completed his apprenticeship.

Kingscote was contacted and a trainer-jockey union started. That was a few years ago. Dascombe, who comes across as a bloke who puts loyalty at the top of his priority list, made sure Kingscote was on board Brown Panther in the Melbourne Cup.

Kingscote got a tour of Flemington yesterday.

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