Tom Dabernig has noticed a change in Fifty Stars from his days at Lindsay Park and since returning to his former “home” at Warrnambool.
Fifty Stars will be Dabernig’s first city runner since leaving Lindsay Park when he runs in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Dabernig is not putting the beach down exclusively to Fifty Stars looking better, but he is not discounting it as having an effect.
Fifty Stars campaigned in Brisbane during the winter, finishing second to Cox Plate favourite Zaaki in the Hollindale Cup at the Gold Coast at his most recent start before spelling in the warmer climate.
“He was lucky enough to have a spell in Queensland, so he looks really well coming out of winter, probably better than he’s looked previously,” Dabernig said.
“It was probably because he was out of the cold, but he copped a bit of a cold blast on arrival at Warrnambool, but he loves the beach.
“But I got a little bit on intel that he spent a bit of time at the beach when with Darren Weir and he really does enjoy that part of it.”
Fifty Stars has had a jump-out at Stawell and one at Warrnambool, last Friday, both times ridden by John Allen, who rides on Saturday.
“He’s gone well in both, but over those shorter distances he doesn’t find it easy,” Dabernig said.
“At Stawell he was a little fresh while on Friday they went quite quickly and he was out of his comfort zone, but he’s been quite good late.
“If he runs a reasonable race, we’ll look to run him in the Makybe Diva (September 11) which won’t be an easy task, but he’s a good Flemington miler.
“Depending on how he goes in those early runs will determine what we do in that middle part and if runs well, we might look at being a bit more ambitious.”
The Memsie Stakes has attracted 19 nominations including Aegon, Beau Rossa, Behemoth, Sierra Sue, Streets Of Avalon and Tofane.
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au