Starlight has Scope for Stakes win

Pat Carey will break new ground when Starlight Scope competes for the first time in Stakes company at Caulfield.

Starlight Scope will tackle weight-for-age company for the first time when she lines up in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.

A winner of four of her 19 starts, Starlight Scope is out of the ‘handicap’ on her rating, but Carey said the mare deserves a shot at attempting to claim some ‘Black Type’ for her owner Steve Watkins.

“I had her in two races on Saturday, one also over 1400 metres, and I just thought her win the other day was encouraging as she carried plenty of weight,” Carey said.

“I thought this race, for a Stakes race, was not top heavy and I thought you don’t get too many opportunities at these types of races, so you have to take them.

“Steve Watkins is a breeder and if you are not giving them an opportunity at a ‘Black Type’ race, then you’re not doing the commercial thing by the breeder.

“She’s an on-pace horse, so she might get her best chance at that type of race.”

Carey pointed out that ‘Black Type’ was important for a mare and her breeding page, especially if the owner wants to breed from her.

Otherwise, Carey said, they are better off being a racehorse.

As a rising six-year-old, Starlight Scope has not been overly raced and may still have her best years ahead on the racetrack.

“There’s been no discussion about retirement,” Carey said.

“But the key thing with her is her form. If she can improve her page in the first place, that would be a big help, otherwise she’s a racehorse.

“Black Type is all important for a mare, but recent history shows mares can race on at an age and she’s only had 19 starts, so she hasn’t been overly raced.

“She’s fit and I expect her to give a good account of herself at that level on Saturday.”