Trainer John O’Shea is hopeful his progressive colt Schwarz (Zoustar) is a Group 1 class runner in the making and he went some way in underling that belief with a tough all-the-way victory in the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas on Saturday.
Schwarz, having only his sixth start, is already a dual stakes winner having won the Listed Amanda Elliott H. in the spring. Partnered by James McDonald, Schwarz defeated Bojangles (Showtime) and Mchale (Shooting To Win).
Commenting on the front-running tactics O’Shea told Sky Racing, “We were just inclined to take bad luck out of the occasion. We trust Schwarz emphatically; he’s a top-class animal.
“He showed that today (Saturday) and gave nothing else a chance.”
Commenting on the front-running tactics O’Shea told Sky Racing, “We were just inclined to take bad luck out of the occasion. We trust Schwarz emphatically; he’s a top-class animal.
“He showed that today (Saturday) and gave nothing else a chance.”
O’Shea indicated the $1.25 million son of Zoustar is aiming towards the G1 Stradbroke H. in June, “He’s right on track for where we always wanted to be, which is the Stradbroke. Schwarz will head towards the G3 Fred Best S., and he probably needs to win it, to get into the Stradbroke.”
Schwarz | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Schwarz is from the Not A Single Doubt mare Summer Sham, a victress of the G2 Angus Armanasco S. She hails from the family of the Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice and the Group 1 winner and Group 1-producing sire Manhattan Rain.
Summer Sham’s Zoustar colt sold for $1.55 million to China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Schwarz was purchased for $1.25 million by the Rosemont-Victorian Alliance, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and David Redvers Bloodstock from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“We were just inclined to take bad luck out of the occasion. We trust Schwarz emphatically; he’s a top-class animal.” – John O’Shea
He is one of 53 stakes winners for Widden Stud’s Zoustar, who will stand the 2024 breeding season for $275,000 (inc GST).
Article written by TTR Australia.
