Richard and Michael Freedman did not have long to reflect on the luckless fourth of Stay Inside in the Todman Stakes before the mood brightened considerably when the Zoustar filly Glistening held off a hard-charging Swift Witness in the Group II Yarraman Park Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Ridden by Jean Van Overmeire, Glistening led at every call to defeat the Star Witness filly Swift Witness by a short-half-head and earn a ticket for the $3.5million Golden Slipper Stakes in a fortnight.
The I Am Invincible filly Trifaccia was three-quarter of a length back in third.
It was just the second start for Glistening, who was second to Pretty Woman at Canberra on her debut, but had that daughter of Written Tycoon well behind on Saturday.
“It’s a big team effort as it is with any stable. I’m really thrilled for Jean. He works so hard with us,” Michael Freedman said.
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“James Harron and I have done a fillies partnership together and this is the first filly out of that partnership. To get a group winner out of that is a big thrill.
“It wasn’t probably the plan to lead today. I don’t think she is necessarily a jump and sit on speed. We were dictated a bit by the barrier, but I gave Jean the option to go forward and leading if he had to.
“I actually think she is a better filly sitting off the speed if she had to. So, let’s let the dust settle.
“She is in the race (Golden Slipper), so it gives us some options. James and I will have a chat about it, and if she pulls up alright, we might have a shy at the stumps.”
It was a first Group success for Jean Van Overmeire.
“I'm a bit lost for words to be honest, he said.
I don’t really know what to say. I’m over the moon.
“A big appreciation goes to the Freedman Brothers. They really support me and give me opportunities. I’m very, very grateful.”
Purchased by James Harron Bloodstock/Freedman Brothers for $260,000 out of the Widden Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Glistening is the second live foal and second winner out of the Group III Gold Coast Guineas winner Beethog.
A daughter of Shovhog, Beethog is a half-sister to the Listed Canberra Guineas winner Rom Baro (Time Thief). She has a yearling filly by Zoustar and a weanling filly by Nicconi.
Beethog was covered by Zoustar’s son Zousain last spring.
Glistening becomes the 19th stakes-winner for Widden Stud’s Zoustar.
The son of Northern Meteor is having a day out with the Group II VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Lightsaber and the Group 1 VRC Newmarket Handicap winner Zoutori.
