Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 
Image: Bruno Cannatelli
Tom Dabernig hopes to find out if Fifty Stars still wants to be a racehorse in the Underwood Stakes

Warrnambool trainer Tom Dabernig was left scratching his head after his stable high-flyer Fifty Stars finished last in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.

After a thorough veterinary examination, Dabernig has decided to push ahead to the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Sandown on Saturday in a bid to turn around the horse’s form.

Dabernig was not disappointed with Fifty Stars when he beat only one runner home in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, but it was a different story after being beaten almost nine lengths by Incentivise in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 11.

“When things, as a seven-year-old stallion, don’t go your way in a Group 1 against that sort of opposition, you hope that he just had a day off,” Dabernig said.

“He’s normally a very consistent horse and I was a bit surprised he finished last.

“Just to be thorough I got him checked out by the vets, had him trotted up and scoped, and he got a clean bill of health.

“So, there was no physical reason for us not to push on and hopefully the 1800-metre tempo suits him well as anywhere from a mile to 2000 metres is his go.”

Fifty Stars has been unable to recapture the form of early 2020 that saw him win the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington and then the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m), although there have been a few placings since.

That Australian Cup victory was the last success for Fifty Stars, but Dabernig is not concerned.

“Mentally it was too tough for him last time, but you can forgive them for one bad run in a prep, but if they do it a couple of times, you’re in strife,” Dabernig said.

“I’m not too worried though. I schooled him last week and have done so again this week, just to have him a bit more on the ball.

“He looks great, he’s healthy, he’s coped with the work. He’s fit and hopefully he can run a better race.

“I think he will bounce back. Hopefully for his confidence, and mine, he will run well again.”

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au