Fitri Hay's dual nursery handicap second Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}–Beyond Desire {GB}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}), notched a quickfire double at Chelmsford and Newbury earlier in the year and took a step up the ladder with a narrow verdict in Saturday's G3 Unibet Zero% Mission Sirenia S. at Kempton, his sixth straight start going six furlongs.
With tasks made easier by the scratching of 'TDN Rising Star' Eben Shaddad (Calyx {GB}), Starlust went postward as the 2-1 second favourite and found a comfortable rhythm off the pace in sixth before improving one spot on the run to halfway. Making eyecatching headway out wide in the straight, he quickened stylishly to launch his challenge entering the final furlong and kept on in relentless fashion under hands-and-heels rousting to deny the resilient Seven Questions (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) by a head after a thrilling tussle. Juddmonte's Array (Ire) (No Nay Never), who ran second behind Starlust at Newbury in July, was on hand throughout the final quarter-mile and tapped out late to finish a half-length back in third.
“I was pretty tight to Callum [Shepherd on Seven Questions], so I couldn't use my stick and was hands and heels for a good furlong-and-a-half,” explained winning rider Hector Crouch. “Every time Callum came to fight back, my lad kept keeping his nose in front and I was always pretty confident we were going to win. He's a classy horse, he's very tough and his attitude is impeccable. I see no reason why he won't improve further from this. He's versatile, ground-wise, and I think he's going to be a real good, fun horse.”
Pedigree Notes
Starlust is the seventh of nine foals and one of four scorers out of G3 Prix de Saint-Georges victrix Beyond Desire (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The April-foaled bay is full to a weanling filly and a half to Listed Lansdown Fillies' S. winner Queen Of Desire (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and a yearling colt by Ghaiyyath (Ire). Beyond Desire is out of a multiple-winning half to G3 Princess Royal S. victrix Mazuna (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), whose descendants include dual Group 2-winning distaffer Beautiful Romance (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), G2 Premio Roma third Brentford Hope (GB) (Camelot {GB}) and the stakes-placed duo Good Fortune (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Executive Force (GB) (Sepoy {Aus}).
Saturday, Kempton, Britain
UNIBET ZERO% MISSION SIRENIA S.-G3, £70,000, Kempton, 9-9, 2yo, 6f (AWT), 1:12.97, st/sl.
1–STARLUST (GB), 129, c, 2, by Zoustar (Aus)
1st Dam: Beyond Desire (GB) (GSW-Fr, MSW & MGSP-Eng, GSP-Ire, $235,547), by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
2nd Dam: Compradore (GB), by Mujtahid
3rd Dam: Keswa (Ire), by Kings Lake
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (55,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Mrs Fitri Hay; B-Branton Court Stud LLP (GB); T-Ralph Beckett; J-Hector Crouch. £39,697. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0, $110,305. Queen Of Desire (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), SW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Seven Questions (Ire), 129, g, 2, Kodiac (GB)–Get Up And Dance (GB), by Makfi (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (£58,000 Ylg '22 GOFFUK). O-Victorious Racing & Fawzi Nass; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-George Scott. £15,050.
3–Array (Ire), 129, c, 2, No Nay Never–Joyeuse (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £7,532.
Margins: HD, HF, 2. Odds: 2.00, 11.00, 1.38.
Also Ran: Who Said Go, Hala Emaraaty (Ire), Golden Trick (Ire), Asadna (Ire), Government Call (Ire). Scratched: Eben Shaddad.
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