Quality New Zealand filly Probabeel had race fitness on her side when beating Funstar first up in the Group I ATC Surround Stakes last month, but the tables were turned at Rosehill on Saturday when Funstar led all the way to win the Group II ATC Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) with Probabeel a brave second.
Driving rain and a heavy track made for testing conditions with James McDonald electing to keep Funstar clear of the pack and out of harm’s way.
The daughter of Cox Plate winner Adelaide bowled along in front and kicked strongly over the final furlong with Probabeel charging home from last to be beaten a length.
“Her work this week has gone up a few notches, she’s just a weapon!” said James McDonald.
“She makes it look easy, it’s just a pleasure to be on her.”
The Group I ATC Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) is the logical next step for Funstar.
“The Vinery in two weeks time is a great stepping stone to the Oaks,” said Chris Waller.
“She’s by Adelaide, who was a great middle distance horse and is a half-sister to Youngstar, who won an Oaks, so the distance should not be a problem.”
Funstar was purchased for $80,000 from the Bowness Stud draft at Inglis Easter by Anton Koolman Bloodstock, who also purchased her Group I Queensland Oaks winning half-sister Youngstar.
With five wins and two seconds from seven starts, Funstar has already won over $745,000 in prizemoney. She has many of the same Youngstar owners involved again including Arthur and Charlotte Inglis.
Funstar is a half-sister to not only Youngstar, but also stakes-placed Eleven Seconds and the dam of current season Group III winner Tofane. She is from blue-blooded Danehill import Starspangled (IRE), a daughter of Champion 3YO Filly and five time Group I winner User Friendly. Starspangled was a weanling colt by Golden Slipper winner Pierro.
Funstar is the best offspring to date for her Cox Plate winning sire Adelaide. A brilliant son of the world’s best sire Galileo, Adelaide covered 104 mares last spring at Coolmore at a fee of $11,000 including Funstar’s dam Starspangled.
