Stakes high for Siss

Listed race tilt for valuable mare

TRAINER Calvin McEvoy says bypassing the Oakbank Easter carnival has Sisstar primed for an assault on the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Sisstar was slated for the Railway Stakes, the feature sprint of the third and final day of the Oakbank carnival, which incorporates jumps and flat races.

“With the big weight, I’m very glad we didn’t run. I think it was the right one,” McEvoy said. “It was going to be the seventh race on the third day, and they were wide.

“It’s probably going to be a very strong race (the Bel Esprit), as it always is. Look at the history of this race, it always comes up very strong.”

McEvoy was thrilled to snare jockey William Pike for Sisstar, as the prized sister of triple Group 1-winning sprinter turned record-breaking broodmare Sunlight shoots for a third straight win.

“I’ve tried to get him a lot of all getting out times,” McEvoy said. “It’s hard to get him, the ‘Wizard of the West’, but very pleased to get him on Saturday. He’ll suit her just perfectly.”

Sisstar scorched to victory last start at The Valley, setting the 955m course record, which had stood for a decade before stablemate Meteorite posted a new mark last year.

The Group 3-winning mare capped her last campaign by winning the Magic Millions 3 and 4YO Classic at Ballarat.

While success has helped Sisstar step out of her big sister’s shadow, the reality of life after racing looms over the valuable broodmare prospect.

“She’s never going to be able to be as big or as good as her sister, that’s just reality,” McEvoy said.

“She’s a stakes winner, she’s won the Magic Millions 3/4YO Classic (Ballarat) — it’s restricted, but it’s a hard race to win — and holds the 10-year record for the 955m.

“She’s certainly done enough if that’s what the owners decide to do, it’s all a matter of if she’s still competing well, at that stakes level. We’ll keep going, but it’s not up to us.

“She’s worth a lot of money, done a terrific job, and whenever the owners decide to put her up for sale she’ll be a good ticket for someone.

“There’s some very good people in the ownership and people that know what they’re doing, so we won’t get in the way. As long as she’s still in training and she’s enjoying it, we’ll enjoy training her.”