Starry Legend returns to winning ways

Enigmatic sprinter Starry Legend was on his best behaviour in a stylish return to winning form at Sandown.

Victorious in three of his first four starts, Starry Legend had lost his way before landing the prize with an all-the-way win in the Behind The Barriers ‘Boxing Challenge’ 14/5 (1000m) on Saturday.

Providing Matthew Cartwright the second leg of a winning double, Starry Legend ($3.70) raced to a two-length victory from Whipcracker Way ($4.80) with Fine Dane ($13) a short-head away third.

The John Sadler-trained sprinter was held in high regard after scoring on debut at Sandown in February last year before winning the VOBIS Gold Rush (1000m) at Bendigo the following month.

Starry Legend scored his most recent victory at Mornington last September and had been winless in five starts since.

Sadler called for a cross-over noseband to be added to Starry Legend’s gear, which Sadler’s son, and assistant trainer, Tom said helped with the gelding’s breathing rather than his race day antics.

Both father and son were concerned with how Starry Legend would handle Saturday’s heavy ground.

“John and I came out here first thing this morning after we’d got all our work done at Pakenham and we were a bit nervous because it was pretty soggy,” Tom Sadler said.

“I walked it again with Matty just before the race and we felt that we’d found a good lane, but obviously you never know until you let their heads go.

“It looked quite straight-forward out there, but we did have a solid plan and Matty pulled it off.”

Sadler said they would let the dust settle before choosing the next assignment for Starry Legend, but he would eventually like to see the gelding back in better company.

“That will do him the world of good confidence-wise and if we could get another win under his belt, that would be good,” Sadler said.

“He’s certainly got above average ability, but I’m just delighted to get him back winning.”