Perth owner Neven Botica has raced his share of good horses in both codes
and he looks to have another potential star in Astara, who provided her young sire Dalghar (Fr) with his first stakes-winner on Saturday.
Botica's initial success with horses was in harness racing and included racing
Sundons Gift, the New Zealand bred trotter who is in the Inter Dominion Hall Of
Fame, Take A Moment and Mister DG, while on the thoroughbred front he has enjoyed
highlights with such smart gallopers such as Moatize, who gave him a crack at
the Melbourne Cup (sixth behind Viewed), and Leading Bid.
Now it's smart two-year-old filly Astara who is providing him with the latest
highlights.
Botica not only bred and races Astara, he also owns her sire, Dalghar, who
stands at Brighthill Farm at Tauwhare (on the outskirts of Hamilton) and it has
been a case of thrill upon thrill for the Perth businessman with the talented
youngster.
Astara became the first winner for Dalghar in New Zealand, joining the
successful list which consists of four winners in Europe during his sole season
standing in France. And, even more importantly, Astara is now the first stakes
winner for his sire.
Astara started favourite in the Listed Auckland Co-op Taxis Champagne Stakes at
Ellerslie on Saturday and after being taken to the front by rider Sam Collett she
was far too strong for her rivals, scoring by a length and three-quarters from
Eleonora.
"I'm expecting Neven to ring any moment," said Astara's co-trainer, Donna Logan
when being interviewed after the decisive win.
Logan wasn't surprised to see Astara win like she did and was full of praise
for the ride of jockey Sam Collett.
"I told Sam beforehand the winning of the race was to jump out, get the lead,
stack them up and go as slow as you can and try and get a split on the turn and
make them chase you," said Logan. "She rode her perfectly."
When Astara slipped clear early in the run home it was obvious she had the race
in safe keeping. Eleonora ran on strongly for second, a length ahead of Family
Secret, who had been third most of the way, while Quantum made ground for
fourth.
Logan is confident Botica is in store for many more highlights with Astara.
"She has stepped up and stepped up and I think she's going to be a better
three-year-old than a two-year-old," she said. "She's very tough."
Collett has been Astara's regular rider and she was impressed with the filly.
"She's got the will to win," said Collett. "She's got the ringcraft on her side
and she's so tough." – NZ Racing Desk.