The Stars Definitely Aligned

Remaining unbeaten on the course, When Stars Align (4 g Zoustar – Shenandoah, by Darci Brahma) won the $40,000 Rating 75 1200 metres on 8 January at Tauranga.

Leading throughout when resuming with victory in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 15 November at Tauranga, When Stars Align raced very well following an economical trip for second (nose) in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 13 December at Te Rapa, and brought the right form to rate a top three chance.

Ridden by Rory Hutchings, who notched a double on the programme, When Stars Align worked across to lead from the outside gate, dictated terms, kicked to a two-length advantage on straightening at the 300m and kept up a strong gallop to win well.

“I had to work to get to the front, but when I got there was able to button off the speed,” Hutchings said.

“I got him into a nice rhythm, he kicked hard at the top of the straight, and he had to dig deep the last couple of bounds. I knew a horse was coming at him, but he gave 110 percent and gave his all.

“The horse is in good form and a great job done by the team.”

Trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson also had fresh-up winner Paravane (Merchant Navy) in the race, and she finished third for Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (a3) after leading early and then settling to trail. 

When Stars Align ran 1200 metres in 1:09.2, last 600m in 33.4, on footing upgraded to Good3, and paid $3.40 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was another good win by the horse and good that Rory (Hutchings) was positive in sending him forward to lead,” Walker said.

“He’s always been a big, leggy, horse that has certainly taken time to fill into his frame, but he’s starting to mature now as a four-year-old and he’s becoming more tractable in his races. 

“He showed again today that he can sustain a run off a genuine pace and now seems to be putting it all together.

“I think with more time, he’s going to make into a really nice sprinter next season, but it’s good to see him racing in such good form and going through the grades.”

On course, assistant trainer Reece Trumper said: “He’s a horse that we’ve worked out now, keep him to 1200m, loves being on speed, and space his races, and he’ll get the job done. 

“We thought he was a Guineas' horse last year, and tried in the autumn to get him up over a trip, but he’s just a flat-out 1200-metre horse. 

“It was a great ride by Rory (Hutchings), getting forward after being a half length slow. He had to use him a little bit, but full credit to the horse. 

“He’s a horse that Dave (Ellis) bought at Karaka, and he’s now starting to fulfil his potential, winning two out of three so far in this campaign. 

“We’ll continue to work our way through the grades with him and there’s no reason why he couldn’t end up in a Listed race in the autumn. He’s got the ability there, for sure.”

Commenting on Paravane, Trumper added: “She was really good, obviously a big step up to Rating 75 grade, but she’s relatively new, raw, and immature, and she’s just going to get better with time. 

“But if (sire) Sword Of State (Snitzel) keeps kicking goals, it’s going to make her more valuable, too, being a half-sister.”

Owned by the Te Akau Stars Aligned Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), When Stars Align was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Wentwood Grange. 

“I’m pleased to see him continuing to develop and racing so well in this campaign,” Ellis said.

“He’s a lovely son of Champion Sire Zoustar and it’s great to see Darci Brahma doing the job as a broodmare sire, too. We bought Darci as a yearling at Karaka, Mark Walker trained him to win five Group One races, and he’s been a big part of the New Zealand breeding industry. 

“When Stars Align was bred and prepared by the Hawkins' family at Wentwood Grange. They do an outstanding job, and they retained a share in the horse as well.

“He’s a horse that some new owners came into when we bought him, along with longstanding clients John & Denise Elstob and Glenn & Cathie Holmes, and he’s a lightly raced type that should continue to improve.”

When Stars Align is by Australian Champion Sire Zoustar, who won six of his nine starts, including two Group Ones and a Group Two, and became one of the most sought-after stallions in Australia, following the premature demise of his sire Northern Meteor (Encosta de Lago) who had been Champion First Season Sire.

His dam Shenandoah, a dual winner of two races and Group Two placed in Australia, is by Champion Sire Darci Brahma (Danehill), purchased as a yearling by David Ellis at Karaka, and winner of five Group One races before becoming a terrific stallion. 

When Stars Align has a Danehill cross through the dam-line of Zoustar and sire line of Shenandoah.

When Stars Align was strapped by Mahesh Kumar.

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz