Starrybeel opens Saturday racing line up

Starrybeel opens Saturday racing line up

Exciting stayer Starrybeel is the opening act for Go Racing action on both sides of the Tasman this Saturday.

Connections of the last start winner have their sights set on the Dunstan Stayers Final on New Year’s Day at Ellerslie worth $100,000. To qualify this exciting stayer needs to grab the thick end of the points on offer in the Rating 72 benchmark 2200 m worth $30,000 at Ellerslie this Saturday.

Michael McNab will ride with a hefty 58 kilos. Say trainer Stephen Marsh, “There are a couple of question marks – track conditions with the recent rain and running on the right-handed track. So it will be a good test for him. It is great to have Michael McNab back in the saddle too, as he did a lot of the early work on him.”

In Sydney, Campari is hoping for kinder track conditions with a touch more give in them, than the good 3 she raced on last time if she is to race in the Benchmark 78, 1500 metres $125,000 at Rosehill.

“She wants just a touch of give in track and a good three is pretty hard in Australia. Ideally we’d like good 4/soft 5 so her start will depend on track conditions.” On the positive side, Campari has a good weight of 54.5kg and apprentice Sam Weatherley will claim a further 2 kg, taking her down to a possible 52.5 kilos if he can make his full claim.

If conditions are too firm for the 4YO O’Reilly mare, there is a good alternative on Friday the 14th at Canterbury Park in a 1550 metres worth $80,000. 

Last but not least three-year-old Fairy Me Home (Shamexpress x Fairy Tipsy) will debut for Chris Waller at Newcastle in the Colts, Geldings and Entires maiden 1400 metres worth $35,000. 

Syndicate Manager Albert Bosma was impressed with his last trial. “He’s an exciting prospect. He ran second in his trial last month up against much more experienced horses with Hugh Bowman on board. We were pleased with how he held his own as an unraced maidener. It’s very encouraging and he is bred to get a trip, so we can see him stepping up in distance from here.”

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