Funstar has managed a feat that Winx could not and delivered trainer Chris Waller his first Group One Flight Stakes victory at Randwick.
The filly made a one-act affair of a race that had been billed as a two-horse joust between Funstar and Probabeel but the winner had the New Zealand filly off the bit a long way from home.
The small field of six ensured the 1600m race was a tactical battle with James McDonald finding the lead on Funstar, although he had several back-up plans.
“Chris wrote the instructions on my hand there were that many,” McDonald said.
“She is a super filly, a star in the making.”
Waller was drawn to make comparisons between Funstar and Winx, who both tackled the Flight Stakes at their fifth start, Winx finishing runner-up to First Seal in 2014.
It’s been a bit of a mirror image of one other horse called Winx,” Waller said.
“Hopefully she can continue to train on, that will be the key.
“I think she’s untapped, I don’t think she’s anywhere near her best yet and she’s done it on her own ability.”
Backed from $1.85 into $1.75 favouritism, Funstar cleared out to win by 3-1/4 lengths from Probabeel ($2.40) with Foxborough ($31) a similar margin away third.
If Waller gets his way, Funstar won’t be seen again this spring but he will mull over options with the filly’s owners.
“It was her first Group One and it won’t be her last Group One,” Waller said.
“We were in the same position with a similar horse (Winx) a few years ago and she ended up being a very good horse for the stable, so I just think it would be hard to break my belief in looking after the horses and respecting their age.
“She’s basically been in since June in terms of racing but I’ll have a talk to the owners and see what they want.
“She could back up in the Spring Champion next week or she could go to the Thousand Guineas or go to the Bondi Stakes.
“But the fact is, you look after a horse and they’ll look after you. If I get my way you’ll see her in the autumn.”
Kerrin McEvoy sat Probabeel outside the lead but she was no match for the winner.
He said she may not have appreciated the rain-affected ground.
“The ground was probably a little bit softer than last time and might have just gone against her a little bit, but she still ran a gallant race,” McEvoy said.
