Cup the aim but Stars in reach
Mile tilt also on cards
CLASSY galloper Fifty Stars is aiming for another Australian Cup win but trainers Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig could have five million reasons to add another target to his autumn program.
Fifty Stars broke through for his first Group 1 win in last year’s Australian Cup, but went winless in a delayed spring preparation that culminated with a solid second to Arcadia Queen in the Mackinnon Stakes last November.
Dabernig said Fifty Stars had progressed well since returning to his stable. The stallion is likely to trial this month before resuming over 1400m at Caulfield in early February.
“He’s building up. He might go to Geelong on the 28th for a trial, then kick off in the C.F. Orr (Stakes),” Dabernig said.
Fifty Stars is one of 83 entries for the $5 million All-Star Mile at the Valley on March 13, a week after the Australian Cup. But Dabernig said Fifty Stars’ plans could change if he gained one of 10 public-voted places in the event.
“If he got into the race, we’d look at it, but his main goal is the Australian Cup,” Dabernig said. “We’d aim for the Australian Cup and, if things changed, we’d have to adapt with him.”
Dabernig said the versatile Fifty Stars, who has won over 1200m to 2000m, would have no trouble adapting to any change in his work program.
“We’d just shorten his work and not quite go for the same length in his gallops, but he’s a relaxed worker any way,” he said. “He’s not the sort of horse that overworks himself.”
Dabernig said a host of top Lindsay Park performers, including VRC Oaks winner Personal and dual Australian Cup winner Harlem, are likely to trial at Geelong on January 28.
Fifty Stars is a $34 chance in All-Star Mile betting.