French import sidesteps Great Southern Star

New Zealand could be the big winner after buzz French import Kristal Josselyn was today ruled out of Saturday week’s $250,000 Group 1 Great Southern Star.

Despite thrashing a moderate field in a Menangle mile trial in 1min54.8sec, connections believe the six-year-old isn’t fit enough to tackle such a hard assignment first-up.

So, the focus switches to the $100,000 Group 1 Hammerhead Mile at Menangle on Miracle Mile night (March 14) and the $650,000 TAB Trot at Cambridge on April 10.

“You know I’d love him to have run in the Great Southern Star, it’s a special race to me, but the guys say he’s just not ready,” Australian owner Norm Jenkin said.

“They always felt it was going to be a bit of a race against time and, although he trialled well, he pulled up like he still needed more time.

“He had a good blow, is still carrying some extra weight and has a bit of his winter coat.

“He’d have to have been absolutely spot on for a race like the Great Southern Star, especially with it meaning two races on the one night.

“The guys said it could do him more harm than good at this stage to run.

“The Cambridge race was always one we were looking at. The timing works so well.”

Jenkin said trainer-driver Luke McCarthy is excited about Kristal Josselyn’s potential.

“It seems like we’ve got the right horse, but we’ll just need to be a bit more patient,” he said. “He’s just got so much speed.” 

Kristal Josselyn won six races in France, including two at Group 2 level, and was sourced by NSW-based trainer Anton Golino.

It was Golino who trained another boom European import, Callmethebreeze, to win the 2024 Great Southern Star and finished second to Just Believe in the TAB Trot a few months later.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing New Zealand