Stern Idol will be out to better his own Brierly Steeplechase record when he contests Tuesday’s $150,000 event, the headline event on Day 1 of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival.
The Ciaron Maher-trained import will carry 75kg in the 3450-metre event.
The nine-year-old claimed the metric weight-carrying record from Some Are Bent, who carted 71kg to victory in 2010, when he won under 73kg two years ago, which was the heaviest weight carried to victory since Deckard won with 11 stone 12 ounces – or 75.5kg – in 1939.
It will be the most Stern Idol has carried in a race, 1kg more than he carried into fourth position in last year’s Grand National Steeplechase, and Maher conscious of the task confronting him, but confident in his ability.
Stern Idol heads in off a 25-length, under 72kg, in the Spencer Memorial Steeplechase (3850m) at Terang on April 19.
“I suppose it can stop him, he’s got 10 kilos on most on the field, but he’s big though,” he said.
“With the weight, it’ll be a test.
“He was a good win the other day, he’s come through it well and he seems to get around there pretty well.”
Stern Idol, who is $2.10 favourite for the Brierly Steeplechase, has 6kg more than Leaderboard, whose Mark Walker-trained stablemate The Mighty Spar (67.5kg) is the only other runner above the 65kg limit.
Among those on 65kg is $3.20 second favourite Hit The Road Jack and Instigator, who was runner-up – beaten a long-neck – to Stern Idol in the 2024 Brierly Steeplechase.
The Brierly Steeplechase will be Stern Idol’s only outing of the Warrnambool Carnival, but Leaderboard, The Mighty Spar, Castrofrancaru, Hit The Road Jack and Instigator are a chance to back up in Thursday’s $350,000 Grand Annual Steeplechase, which on Monday drew a field of 11.
Headline act of that 5500m race is Duke Of Bedford, who is chasing back-to-back wins.
The $300,000 Warrnambool Cup will also be run on Thursday with recent Group 2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m) winner Newlook heading the field for that 2350m Listed event.
