Let fast horses be fast.
That is the realisation trainer Archie Alexander has come to with Starry Legend who will have his second start for the stable in the Listed WJ Adams Stakes (1000m) at Sandown on Thursday.
Starry Legend was initially prepared by John Sadler, winning four of his 14 starts, and was a tearaway leader that struggled to get past 1000m.
At his first outing for Alexander, Starry Legend finished third in a benchmark 84 grade race over 1000m at Sandown on January 7, his first run since June.
“The other day it didn’t help that he had Najem Suhail annoy him, sitting at his girth,” Alexander said.
“If he didn’t have him there, he might have settled a bit better, but he’s going really well.
“It’s unfortunate and it’s probably just the way he is, but if he could just learn to relax a little bit more, I think he would be able to offer a little bit more at the end.”
Alexander said while Starry Legend relaxes quite well in his trackwork, come race day when in the barriers, he switches.
With that first-up run under the belt, Alexander is hopeful the edge has been taken off Starry Legend.
“I think the main problem is his barrier speed is so good,” Alexander said.
“I don’t think the first couple of hundred metres is the problem. He just jumps so well and he’s quick away, whereas others take warming up.
“We’re not giving up on him by any token as he’s run and won some good races by leading, so you don’t want to change it up too much.
“So, I think we’ll leave him alone for now, but it would be nice if he relaxed a bit more.”
Starry Legend is one of six horses Alexander has in training for prominent Hong Kong owner Bon Ho while a seventh, a yearling purchased at the Magic Millions Sales at the Gold Coast, is coming his way.
“It’s early days, but he’s been a good supporter of the stable,” Alexander said.
