WINNER: Zambrosia Zippy

Zambrosia (4 m Zoustar – Positive Problems, by Sebring) resumed with victory in the $18,500 Maiden 1600 metres on 26 August at Riccarton (poly-track).

Having found the line in a 1000-metre poly-track trial on the course in July, and subsequently maintained a solid effort for fourth when trialling on 11 August at Timaru, Zambrosia had recorded two good efforts for third over 1600 metres previously and justified favouritism to break through at her sixth start. 

Ridden by local jockey Triston Moodley (25), who recorded his ninth win for Champion Trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, Zambrosia settled to receive a lovely trip in fourth, cruised into contention at the 600m, and strode clear to win by two and three-quarter lengths.

Although having her first start on a poly-track, she had indicated appreciation for the synthetic surface when trialling in July, and adapted her action nicely when stretching out in the straight. 

In the race named Christchurch Casino 31st South Island Awards – 11 September, Zambrosia covered 1600 metres in 1:37.1 and paid $1.90 to win on the NZ TAB tote after opening at $2.20 fixed odds.

“She’s been a bigger and slower maturing filly by Zoustar and it was great to see her resume with such a strong win, seeing the mile out well,” Walker said.

Raced by DJ Bloodstock Ltd, Zambrosia was purchased by Sir David Ellis, from the draft of Widden Stud, at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. 

Her Australian Champion Sire Zoustar (Northern Meteor), bred on the Northern Dancer sire-line, was sold to stud for $14 million in the week leading up to his victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington, which provided Kiwi jockey Jim Cassidy with his 100th Group One winner. Cassidy claimed Zoustar to be “a better three-year-old than Redoute’s Choice and more brilliant than Pierro”.

The sire of 12 individual Group One winners including $9 million earner Joliestar, Zoustar is a fixture among the best sires in Australasia, whose yearlings averaged over $500,000 in 2026. 

Her dam Positive Problems, by Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) winner Sebring (More Than Ready), won six races to 1600 metres, and her five foals to race have now all won. 

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “This filly is really strong, with all the qualities and strength that good Zoustar fillies have, and the dam sire Sebring is also really evident in her makeup.

“He was a top 10 Australian sire for many years, Sebring, and the dam sire of our Karaka Million and Group One winner On The Bubbles.”

Zambrosia carries a Danehill (Danzig) cross through the dam line of Zoustar and the dam line of dam sire Sebring.

Zambrosia was strapped by Phoebe Moon. 

Photo credit - Away Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz