Keen to give Fire Star another black-type opportunity before the carnival big guns return, Peter Snowden will back him up in the JRA Plate at Rosehill where a distance drop is key.
Fire Star extended to 1400m for the first time in the Carrington Stakes last weekend and after looming up at the top of the Randwick rise, he faded late to finish fifth to Sandpaper.
But back to 1200m on Saturday, and at Rosehill where he has won three of his four starts, Snowden believes the five-year-old has a genuine chance to break through for his first stakes success.
“He just struggled with the 1400,” Snowden said of his Carrington Stakes performance.
“But he’s such a tough bugger, I threw his name in the hat for this race, and he’s come up with a good draw and no weight on his back.
“He’s not out of it back to 1200 and he is rock-hard fit now.”
Fire Star has drawn barrier three in the field of eight, which includes Arrowfield 3YO Sprint winner Enriched, last year’s victor Willaidow, and Queensland raider Zarastro.
With the cream of older horses set to start returning at the Expressway Stakes meeting in two weeks, Snowden sees Saturday’s Group 3 sprint as a timely option before Fire Star is given a short break.
“That’s what I was counting on,” he said.
“The Expressway and those sort of races come to hand quickly and it will be a good time to give him a breather while they’re around and come back towards the backend of the carnival and through the Hawkesbury and Scone races.
“He has run well in Listed and Group Three races before.
“He is a very tough horse. Very genuine and you always get value for money with him.”
Saturday’s feature, formerly known as the Southern Cross Stakes, boasts some handy recent winners including Lost And Running (2022), Masked Crusader (2021), Le Romain (2017) and Terravista (2014).
