Zoustar, Australia’s only chance for Royal Ascot glory next month, has taken no harm from his marathon flight to Europe.
Trainer Chris Waller said the three-year-old had coped with the 27-hour trip to Germany like a seasoned traveller.
“He travelled exceptionally well but it was a very long trip,” Waller said.
“He landed in Germany, spent a day in Frankfurt and then went by truck to England.”
Zoustar will be stabled at Lambourn, close to the Ascot racecourse.
“The vet who inspected him in Frankfurt couldn’t believe how well the horse travelled and how bright in the eye he looked,” Waller said.
Zoustar represents Waller’s first foray into international racing and he is looking forward to the challenge after dominating Sydney racing for the past three seasons.
The colt, sold for $14 million on the eve of his Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes win at Flemington during the spring carnival, will contest the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on the final day of the Royal Ascot festival.
He will be attempting to join Choisir (2003) and Starspangledbanner (2010) as Australian-bred winners of the 1200-metre sprint.
Zoustar’s only start during the Sydney autumn carnival resulted in a below-par run in the Canterbury Stakes.
Waller was forced to scratch Zoustar from the $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes because of a wet track.
A win at the Royal meeting will enhance Zoustar’s value as a dual-hemisphere stallion when his racing days come to a close.
– AAP