Vinery-bred graduate Growing Empire is growing in stature race by race with the promise of better things to come at the spring carnivals for Yulong Investments owner Yuesheng Zhang.

The sky’s the limit for Growing Empire following a stunning four-length victory in the SA Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.  The Zoustar colt started a short-priced favourite coming off a strong victory in the MVRC St Albans Stakes (LR, 1200m) last month.

“He’s a very good colt but we had to iron out a few problems early in his career,” trainer Ciaron Maher revealed.  “He was a little bit immature mentally but has come on in leaps and bounds.  He will probably have a breather now and improve again with the benefit of a winter spell into next season.

“Mr Zhang has supported us with some quality stock and it’s fantastic to win another 2yo Stakes race for him today.”

Winning jockey Mark Zahra praised Growing Empire after the youngster trounced Flattered (Yes Yes Yes) and Flyer (Exceedance).  “He was laying out when I asked him to let rip but I allowed him go where he was happy in the straight.  He had a look at the winning post as well but it was very soft win.”

Pat Hodgens bred Growing Empire with Vinery partners Neil Werrett and Steve McCann after buying his dam Miles Of Krishan (Snitzel) for $500,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.  She was a multiple Melbourne winner and her half-brother Il Quello Veloce (Captain Rio) was NZ Champion 2YO in 2007-08.

Miles Of Krishan paid the partnership back and then some when her first foal Dancing Alone (I Am Invincible) made $1.4million at the 2021 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.  She won a Canberra 3yo maiden this time last year and came good at the Melbourne spring carnival winning at Flemington and Caulfield before signing off with a black-type placing in the Begonia Belle Stakes (Gr.3, 1100m) on VRC Derby Day.

Miles Of Krishan continues to be given every chance at stud with a yearling filly by I Am Invincible and a filly foal by Zoustar.  She was bred back to I Am Invincible last year.

Growing Empire has a 3×3 duplication of Redoute’s Choice and the Zoustar – Snitzel cross has a winning strike-rate of 77% headed by Growing Empire and fellow Stakes winners North Star Lass (ATC Furious Stakes Gr.2), Millane (VRC Foundation Plate LR) and Zou Tiger (ATC Carrington Stakes LR).