Funstar finds gap to win again at Randwick

Funstar was trapped in a pocket with 200m to go but Jay Ford found a gap and steered her through.

A little luck and a load of class have helped Funstar build on a winning start to her career at Randwick.

A half-sister to Group One winner Youngstar, Funstar was the $2 favourite to add Saturday’s Two-Year-Old Handicap (1200m) to her debut win at Canterbury on June 5.

The horse viewed as the most likely to challenge her, Leviathan ($3.70) had Funstar in a pocket in the final 200 metres but Jay Ford found a gap and steered her through.

Although the margin was a neck, Ford was in no doubt who the better horse was.

“I thought when the fields came out and we drew gate one, it was probably not the place you want to draw on a horse that looks to be better than the others,” Ford said.

“With the slow run she was sort of jog trotting in behind them. With the make-up of the race, I had to wait for something to move with the other two main chances outside the leader.

“Fortunately a split came and she showed her determination and professionalism to hit that gap.

“Although the margin wasn’t there, it was quite a dominant win.”

Like 2018 Queensland Oaks winner Youngstar, Funstar is trained by Chris Waller and many of her ownership group have shares in both horses.

Among them is Arthur Inglis, deputy chairman of the auction house which bears his family name.

“I suppose she has had a bit of hype on her after she won but you do wonder whether it was just a midweek maiden in the middle of the winter,” he said.

“But she seems to have gone on with that form and let’s hope she goes on with it even better.

“She will go out very briefly and come back for the early spring fillies race.”

Sam Clipperton, who rode the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Leviathan, said it was a shame they had bumped into the winner.

“It was a great run,” he said.

“It is a shame we got beaten because my horse tried super and was beaten by a very good one.”