Trainer Michael Clements had no hesitation in rating his impressive Sunday winner Starshine as a horse “for the future” following his easy win in the $75,000 Emperor Max 2014 Stakes over 1200m.
At only his second run, but resuming since his encouraging debut second back in December, the well-built three-year-old went on to toy with his nine Restricted Maiden rivals the moment he found a gap at the top of the straight.
Though still learning his craft, Starshine looked very professional in the way he put the race away with jockey Alan Munro just ensuring the $17 favourite was well clear as he glanced at the infield screen a few times 300m out.
Pentagon (Sam Subian) replicated his debut performance when a flying third back in March with a similar late closing run to go one better by running second at long odds of $204 another 2 ¼ lengths away. Third another 1 ¼ lengths away was Ninepins (Oscar Chavez), who could have finished closer if he did not have to come around the heels of a few weakening runners. The winning time was 1min 11.22secs for the 1200m on the Long Course.
Clements said such an imposing win from a horse who was still inexperienced and first-up from a break (due to some leg niggles) for good measure, was revelatory of his potential.
“I knew all along he was a horse who had ability, but he had some minor leg issues and we gave him a couple of months off,” said the Zimbabwean-born handler.
“This break has done him a lot of good. He’s strengthened up and has come back really strong.
“He was green at his first barrier trial but he put it all together at his second trial two weeks ago. Still, the time off was the only question mark.
“He was overracing a little behind the speed, but once he got the split, he responded very well and kicked on.
“He’s only lightly-raced and he was pretty impressive in the way he kicked through. He’s by Ad Valorem who was a sprinter-miler and on that and the way he won today, I think he will get more distance and he has a bright future here.”
Munro agreed more was to come from the My Friends Stable-owned galloper who cost only A$25,000 as a yearling.
“He was only 90% today. He’s a progressive horse and we should see more improvement from him,” said the English jockey.
