Chris Waller’s Golden Rose winning colt Zoustar has kept their imposing Sydney Spring Racing Carnival campaign going at Royal Randwick today with an effortless win in the 2013 Roman Consul Stakes to take their career winnings past the $1 million mark.

Zoustar will back-up in the Coolmore Stud Stakes next month after an easy Epsom Handicap Day win. Photo: Steve Hart.

The talented son of ill-fated sire Northern Meteor became an elite level winner when beating them home from the outside gate (16 of 16) in the $1 million Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 14.

So impressive was that win that jockey Jim Cassidy turned down some key rides in Melbourne this weekend to stay on Waller’s colt for their run in today’s $175,000 Group 2 Sydney City Toyota Roman Consul Stakes (1200m).

While it was no Group 1 win number 100, which Cassidy shoots for in his next elite level ride, it proved the winning move as Zoustar toyed with them to win today ahead of a trip to Melbourne for the $500,000 Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day, Saturday November 2.

“Today he was ultra-impressive,” Cassidy told TVN post-win.

They were odds-on at $1.95 to win today as the punters had as much confidence in the horse as Cassidy did.

After getting away only fairly from the gates Zoustar and Cassidy went back to about third last while Little Miss Smiley lead the field.

Swinging for home the favourite was still about five off the lead in sixth but Cassidy couldn’t have looked calmer, just sitting on his horse knowing he hand them covered.

“I knew there was nothing going as good as me,” he said.

He was confident and he had every reason to be.

By the time they got into the straight Zoustar was cantering up on the outside starting to build their momentum for what was a remarkable finish.

Claiming his rivals at the 200m mark, Cassidy had a quick look then stormed off to race away over the final 100m opening it up to win by four and a quarter lengths.

He was hands and heels above them including the second placed Barbed, who just got caught in a pocket coming into the turn, and the brave third placegetter Open Book.

“He’s obviously a very valuable colt and obviously a very good horse too,” Waller said.

While there were talks Zoustar should have gone to the $500,000 Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 19, Waller was confident they could come back from the 1400m in the Rose and explode over today’s 1200m race.

And that’s exactly what this star stallion in the making did proving themselves as the country’s top three-year-old sprinter and the one to watch out for in the Coolmore and beyond.

“We’ve got it right,” Waller said.

“You get the colt out of the way and train him like a racehorse.”

Waller was also quick to credit the ride, and loyalty, of veteran hoop Cassidy.

“Jimmy’s fantastic with a horse like this,” he said.

“Jimmy’s on the horse and knows what he’s got.

“The horse flattened out too and went right to the line which was also good to see.”

They are sure to be in the red when Coolmore betting begins, Zoustar very well positioned to score Group 1 win number two after their arrogant Epsom Handicap Day slaughter.

“I thought his father (Northern Meteor) was so explosive,” Waller explained when talking about his decision to run Zoustar in the sprints.

“He had a couple of track records…so we’ll give this boy a chance to do what his father did.

“Maybe a chance to be better.”

Cassidy agreed that the Coolmore was the right option for Zoustar next race.

“Without a doubt,” he said.

“He’s very, very exciting.

“He’s going to go all the way this colt there’s no worries about that.”

See below for the full Roman Consul Stakes 2013 results and finishing order.

Now it’s time to focus on the Melbourne racing and get double the odds on the Turnbull Stakes only at Ladbrokes.com.au!

2013 Roman Consul Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Randwick Race 5 – 05/10/2013