Legendary Melbourne Cup mare Makybe Diva was represented by her first winner when Rockstardom broke through at Bendigo on Thursday.
Rockstardom (4g Galileo – Makybe Diva by Desert King) won the Jayco Maiden (1600m) by a nose at his first start back after a 28 week spell. “The further the better for him,” winning jockey Mark Zahra. “He was racing first-up at a mile and was very strong late.”
Rockstardom is trained by Danny O’Brien for a syndicate that includes Makybe owners Tony and Deslee Santic. They kept a share after he was sold for $1.50 million at the 2009 Inglis Easter yearling sale.
Makybe Diva has a 2yo colt by Encosta De Lago and she foaled a colt by Lonhro in August. The Santics sent her to their homebred champion Starspangledbanner at Coolmore Stud this year.
Meanwhile, Makybe’s Tale of the Cat freshman Purrealist has jumped the blocks with two early-season winners from the Gnarwarre nursery.
Pure Hustle opened his account at Rosehill on October 29 and Pure Whisper doubled the winner count at Doomben on November 5. Both youngsters are being set for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January.