A trifecta for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in the Group III Arrowfield Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Randwick as the $1,000,000 Zoustar colt Espionage led home stablemates Straight Charge and Prost.
Ridden by Blake Shinn, Espionage stalked the early speed and was strong to the line to edge out Yulong’s Written By colt Straight Charge by a short-half-head. The $650,000 Snitzel colt Prost was a head back in third in a thrilling finish.
Adrian Bott said he was still processing the result.
“Just trying to dissect it all,” he said. “Saw the two stablemates clear out there and have a great battle. They’ve been two quality colts all the way through. I’m delighted for all of the connections. It’s an important race for these potential stallions, and each of those first three across the line are all big players in that department. They’ve all got significant upside to them.
“We’ve been lucky over the years to get the right support. Three heavyweights in the industry and they’re buying quality horses and we’re getting the opportunity to train these types. That’s a big help, no doubt.
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uo;He’s an expensive horse ($1 million yearling); he’s been beautiful from the outset. He’s done a great job, a well-deserved victory.
“All of them performed very credibly today. We will see how they pull up and work out what path to get in (the Golden Slipper).”
The James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership shelled out $1,000,000 for Espionage from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The son of Zoustar is the second winner from as many to race for the talented Street Cry (USA) mare In Times Of War.
A winner at Warwick Farm, Randwick, and the Gold Coast for Chris Waller, In Times Of War, placed a further eleven times in a 21-start career.
In Times Of War is the daughter of the exceptional 2-year-old Military Rose (General Nediym), winner of the Group II ATC Reisling Stakes, Group III Gold Coast Guineas, BRC Calaway Gal Stakes, and Listed BJ McLachlan Stakes.
A decedent of the breed-shaper Summoned, In Times Of War has a yearling filly by Snitzel and revisited Zoustar last spring.
Espionage is the 42nd stakes-winner for Widden Stud’s flagship stallion, Zoustar.
