After a torrid run in the Australian Derby, trainer Robbie Laing was expecting Stars Of Carrum would need a well-earned break.
But after two days back at his stable at Cranbourne the three-year-old had rebounded so well Laing will now run the colt in Thursday’s Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington.
Stars Of Carrum is one of 18 three-year-olds entered in the race which dates back to 1857 and precedes the Melbourne Cup.
Runner-up to Extra Brut in last year’s Victoria Derby, Stars Of Carrum’s autumn target was the Australian Derby at Randwick on April 6.
Laing said a number things went wrong for the colt before he eventually finished 13th behind Angel Of Truth.
“He didn’t have much going for him in the Derby,” Laing said.
“It was a wet track, he was too close to the pace and four-deep the entire trip.
“He was a bit flat for a couple of days but he’s bounced back well.”
The trainer was expecting to send the colt to the paddock shortly after he arrived back at Cranbourne from Sydney.
Laing’s apprentice Harry Grace trotted the colt up on the Monday morning after the Derby and said he had recovered well and by Tuesday morning was ready to proceed.
And Laing was happy with what he saw from Stars Of Carrum in a gallop at Cranbourne on Saturday morning.
“He galloped over a mile with a couple on the main grass,” Laing said.
“He sat back behind them in the gallop and ran away from them at the end.
“On Sunday he walked for an hour, swam three laps of the pool and had a pick of grass.
“He’s fit and well and we’ve got Craig Williams to ride him.
“He’s bounced back and is ready to go.”
Thursday’s Listed race has a capacity field of 16 runners with Gai Waterhouse looking for her fourth win in the past seven years.
Waterhouse won with Hippopus in (2013) and Order Of The Sun (2014) before she and training partner Adrian Bott claimed the race last year with Runaway.
This year they have Transact entered while Anthony Freedman, who won with Authoritarian (2015) and Cool Chap (2016), has entered Bakery Hill.
