Starzintheireyes most likely missed his shot at a start in The Metropolitan after failing to gain a run in last week’s Kingston Town Stakes, but Tom Charlton said it could be for the best.
The Randwick trainer, who operates in partnership with John O’Shea, is of the belief circumstances would have been against the gelding.
O’Shea and Charlton are using this Saturday’s Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1900m) at Rosehill as a back-up option and looking forward to seeing him get his chance of a maiden win in Australia.
“From the gate he would have gone back and it would have been impossible for him to win the way the track was playing,” Charlton said of the Kingston Town Stakes, which was won by The Euphrates.
“Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, but he’s going very well and he’d be a live chance (this week).
“I’d say it would be unlikely to go to The Metropolitan, but I guess there would some circumstances you would consider it.
“If he were to finish on the bridle and won easily you’d think about, but at this stage we’d probably think he’s headed in another direction.”
The issue with Starzintheireyes being forced into running this weekend is that he now has to clash with stablemate Mister Rizz.
Saturday’s race for benchmark 88 performers was pencilled in for him straight after his effortless first-up win in a Hawkesbury Class 1 on September 5.
That 1800m event was his first win in Australia, at his third start following a two-run campaign that resulted in third placings at Scone and Rosehill in May, and Charlton said the gelding is a stable member they have high hopes for.
“He’s quite a raw individual, he still does a few things wrong, but he’s a strong galloper and one that’s got potential in his time here in Australia,” Charlton said.
“He was good the other day at Hawkesbury in a weak race, he was entitled to win like that, but we feel like he’s progressing in the right direction.
“There’s still a lot of upside with him and he’s definitely improving, that’s for sure.”
Mister Rizz, a five-year-old son of Lope De Vega who has had nine starts for two wins and five placings, drew barrier three will be ridden by Zac Lloyd with James McDonald to take the ride on Starzintheireyes (barrier five)
