The Tony Gollan-trained Solar Star came away with a valuable Black-Type win before her return trip to the broodmare sales going all-the-way thanks to a big on-pace ride from Robbie Fradd in the Listed $125,000 Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m) at Ipswich.
Tony Gollan (pictured at Doomben) won the last at Ipswich with Solar Star in the 2020 Gai Waterhouse Classic. Photo: Daniel Costello.
It has been a fantastic 12 months for connections of the Zoustar four-year-old who they picked up from this season’s broodmare sales, the mare adding to her return value with career win number eight in the Gai Waterhouse Classic 2020.
Having her 25th start the beautifully-bred mare continued her unbeaten record at the Ipswich track making it three-from-three on the course west of Brisbane.
An Eagle Farm winner carrying 57.5kg two back over the 1300m, she came off a lead-up second with 58kg over the 1200m in Brisbane on July 4.
Relishing a step back-up in distance and revisiting her pet track, Solar Star flew around the in front with the 54kg light weight in the handicap clash.
Fradd rode her to perfection in front really making the race favourite, last start Bright Shadow Quality winner Jami Lady work hard in second carrying 57.5kg.
Solar Star lead into the turn and onto the straight coming up the inside with Jami Lady on her outside in hot pursuit.
Jami Lady had her chance, but the eventual winner was too strong stepping up in grade and dug deep to charge strongly through the line.
Rounding out the Gai Waterhouse Classic trifecta was the Godolphin-raced Multaja carrying the 58kg topweight who came through late to snare third.
“There’s no better way than going out a winner that’s for sure,” Gollan told Sky Thoroughbred Central after taking out the last.
“She’s getting back in the broodmare sale this year.
“She’s done a great job. She’s just a really bonny mare and when she can control the tempo like that, she’s hard to beat.
“She’s been a revelation. She’s been a really good mare and she’ll be a good acquisition for someone as a broodmare.
“She’s beautifully bred. She’s a really nice little mare.
“A Listed result for these mares are worth their weight in gold.”
