Chris Waller’s decision to restrict Sun God to shorter distances has reaped immediate dividends with the import posting a stylish first-up victory in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes at Scone.
A winner over 2400m in Europe, the four-year-old didn’t fire when tried over staying and middle-distances locally, prompting Waller to change tack this preparation and kick him off in Saturday’s 1300m sprint.
Settling midfield for jockey Tyler Schiller, Sun God ($15) burst from the pack in the straight before fending off a late charge from eventual runner-up Point And Shoot ($18) to score, with Linebacker ($2.25 fav) third.
It was Schiller’s first ride on the horse, and he said he was glad he’d gone to fellow hoop Zac Lloyd for some pre-race advice.
“Terrific effort. I’ve never ridden the horse, but I’d heard a lot about him from Zac and what he’d had to do with him,” Schiller said.
“He got through so sharply, I thought he was going to win comfortably. Then when he got challenged, it was good to see him fight because Zac told me he could be a bit soft. You have to ask him nicely, and to his credit, he responded well.”
The victory was Sun God’s first at stakes level and Schiller is adamant there are more in store.
“He’s going to get better with a bit of fitness,” he said.
“His coat has still got a bit to come, so he’s definitely got better wins than today.
“He’s got great ability, he just doesn’t know how to use himself. But he was very strong to the line.”
Sun God joins an impressive roster on the Luskin Star Stakes honour roll that includes Lost And Running (2021), Trekking (2019) and Osborne Bulls (2018).
