News

A Star is born in Flight Stakes

5th Oct 2019

When Olly Koolman was forming his short list at the 2018 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, he had an ace up his sleeve few knew about.

Back in trainer Chris Waller’s stable was a maiden filly named Youngstar that Koolman owned and had a big opinion of so when her half sister by then-first season sire Adelaide came into the Riverside Stables parade ring, Koolman knew he had to have her.

Today at Randwick that belief paid significant dividends when Funstar (pictured) won the G1 Flight Stakes at just her fifth career start.

In doing so she gave Adelaide his first G1 success.

She’s got a great athletic body and isn’t correct in the legs by any stretch but we simply bought her as an investment because we had Youngstar obviously and we felt she had a fair bit of ability,’’ Koolman said.

“Youngstar was a maiden at the time but 10 weeks later she won the [Queensland] Oaks and as a result, this filly’s value doubled overnight.

“It’s continued to double ever since and she’s such a lovely filly. She’s turned out to be a great investment!’’

Funstar – an $80,000 Easter buy for Anton Koolman Bloodstock from the Bowness Stud draft – became the 34th G1-winning Inglis graduate since 2018 with today’s victory.

She has now raced five times for four wins and a second for $535,000 prizemoney.

Coolmore’s Tom Magnier was thrilled Adelaide had registered his first G1 winner.

“I think this is the start of something special for him, he’s got some great stock on the ground and has got another great book this year,’’ Magnier said.

“This filly Funstar looks like she’s something special and in fairness to the Waller team, they look like they’ve got another superstar on their hands.’’

Funstar’s breeder Jack Sheather said: “It’s the first time we’ve all been here together as a family for a G1. It’s a fantastic feeling to lead a filly you bred back into scale after a win like this.’’

Meanwhile talented 2YO Mildred (Hinchinbrook) made it two wins from as many starts with a dominant victory in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington.

The Inglis Classic juvenile – whose trainer Grahame Begg purchased for $45,000 from the Middlebrook Valley Lodge draft – won the first 2YO race of the season 11 days ago and backed it up with a comfortable win down the Flemington straight again today.

The Reg Ryan and M&R Services-bred Mildred will now likely be targeted toward the $500,000 Inglis Banner at The Valley on Cox Plate Day.

And Rich Itch scored a first Stakes victory when winning the Listed Paris Lane Stakes at Flemington.

His trainer Shawn Mathrick bought the son of Danerich for $60,000 at the VOBIS Gold Yearling Sale from Rangal Park Stud, who also bred the horse.