She wasn’t the stable’s number one elect, but Startantes announced herself a feature race prospect in her own right after winning the $125,000 3YO Plate (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Trainer Robert Heathcote had designs on taking his Group 2 winner Prince Of Boom south after this race, but will reassess after he missed the placings, albeit after a less than ideal run in transit.
The race was considered to be a duel between Prince Of Boom and Alpine Edge and the latter looked certain to score after he swept by Prince Of Boom at the 300m point.
But under Taylor Marshall, Startantes knuckled down late and nailed him right on the line.
The filly, who is by Star Turn from a family that has given Heathcote countless winners over the years, has now won four of her seven starts.
She hadn’t been thought of as a potential interstate raider this spring, but her win in this race opens up the possibility to chase some southern black type in the next couple of months.
Alpine Edge was brave under his 58kg after being forced to race three wide from his wide draw.
Prince Of Boom began well enough but found himself three wide without cover when Princess Bojack shifted out underneath him in the early stages.
He was a spent force by the turn.
Interstate plans are up in the air for Ballistic Boy, who made a winning return for trainer Chris Anderson and Think Big Stud in the Open Handicap.
A Group 3 winner as a three-year-old, Ballistic Boy also had a successful four-year-old campaign and he’s kicked off in terrific order at five.
Brad Stewart had him nice and handy and he was able to gun down leader Run For Glory in the last couple of strides.
Anderson said interstate tilts depend on the Covid-situation, but the horse’s next start is likely to be the Doomben Mile next month.
Kelly Schweida is eyeing off long term staying features with former Kiwi London Banker, who made it three on end at Doomben.
Schweida sent London Banker to famed spelling complex Washpool Lodge after his win at Doomben earlier in the month, freshening him up for the drop back to 2000m from his two wins at 2200m.
London Banker hit his usual “flat spot” in running and jockey James Orman had to get busy a long way from home, but he responded in the last 200m and was able to get down Sydney raider Silent Agenda.
Schweida said he would likely have just one more run this time in before being given a break and set for some better races.
He said some of the Cups races in Queensland next winter make strong appeal given the way London Banker has progressed in his initial Australian campaign.
