The owners of Gallant Star have given Brett Robb a vote of faith, unequivocal in their desire for the Kosciuszko runner-up to remain with the Dubbo trainer.
Robb floated the idea of the gelding heading to a city-based trainer given his high benchmark rating and the resulting necessity to travel to town for suitable races.
However, that was quickly quashed by his owners, who include former Australian cricketer turned popular commentator, Kerry O’Keeffe.
“I was talking to the owners yesterday, saying that on his run in the Festival Stakes and the form that has come out of it, there is a really good race in this horse. A black-type race,” Robb said.
“I spoke to the owners about whether we give him to a city trainer to help with the travelling, but the owners were solid, Kerry O’Keeffe and David Ringland.
“They said, ‘No way. He’s your horse and we want you to win the good race with him.'”
First step is Saturday’s Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1400m) at Randwick, which Gallant Star will tackle fourth-up and off the back of three solid runs, including a runner-up finish in The Kosciuszko (1200m) in October and last start fifth to subsequent The Ingham winner Yorkshire in the Festival Stakes (1500m).
While Robb would have preferred to step him up to a mile this weekend, he said Saturday’s race timed well with the horse’s campaign and a possible tilt at the $500,000 The Lakes (1600m) at Wyong’s stand-alone meeting on January 10.
Long-term, the goal is another shot at The Kosciuszko (1200m) next year.
“I’d love to win The Kosciuszko. That was always on the bucket list, and I think I’ve got the right horse to do it,” Robb said.
As for this weekend’s assignment, Robb has been buoyed by a low draw in barrier five and is adamant Gallant Star will present at the peak of his powers.
“I galloped him yesterday (Tuesday) morning myself and I don’t reckon I’ve had the horse as good,” he said.
“This whole prep, he’s been good, but he’s spot-on at the moment.
“I was hoping for a good barrier, and we’ve got it. He can definitely run a race.”
Fresh from a winning treble at Randwick last Saturday, including capturing The Ingham (1600m) aboard Yorkshire, Zac Lloyd has the ride on Gallant Star.
