Written by Georgie Dennis
Sisstar (Zoustar), the sister to star mare Sunlight, added another lucrative cheque to her CV as she used her on-speed racing pattern to take out the $150,000 Magic Millions 3&4YO Classic at Ballarat on Saturday.
The 4-year-old mare jumped from an inside barrier with Damian Lane in the saddle and went straight forward with Hard Landing (All Too Hard) leading on her outside.
She managed to kick away on the bend though and held off favourite The Astrologist (Zoustar) to win by 0.4l.
The victory brought the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained filly’s record to four wins from 14 starts with total career earnings of $375,500 and Calvin McEvoy credited the filly’s determination for getting the win.
"Unfortunately she didn't grow into the size that Sunlight was, she's quite a petite little filly,” he said. “But she's got a lot of guts and an awkward racing style which can bring her undone sometimes.
“She relaxed beautifully out there for Damian and she was in for the fight which was fantastic.
“She relaxed beautifully out there for Damian (Lane) and she was in for the fight which was fantastic." - Calvin McEvoy
"I actually thought that she'd lead a bit easier than that because she has been overracing, but she just came back under him beautifully. It was great to see what horses can do when they relax mid-race.
"Well done to the owners. They've been extremely patient. She's always lived in the shadow of Sunlight but she's done a fantastic job and is already a Group 3 winner and worth a lot of money.
"I'd just like to thank the Adelaide team. She's very difficult to train. She spends most of her time back in South Australia and travels over to race, so the team has done a great job over there. Tony will be claiming this one, I think."
Sisstar as a yearling
Sisstar is the second black-type winner from the multiple stakes-winning mare Solar Charged (Charge Forward), joining Sunlight while Sheikha (Sebring) is stakes placed.
Solar Charged is a half-sister to Listed winner Causeway Queen (Giant's Causeway {USA}) and stakes-placed Brave Soul (More Than Ready {USA}), with their grandam Aretha (Sir Dapper) a Listed winner, who produced the stakes winner Sir Linford (Last Tycoon {Ire}).
Solar Charged has a 2-year-old brother to Sisstar named Dio and foaled a colt brother to her this year while she returned to the Widden Stud-based stallion this season.
Sisstar cost $600,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
