Starzintheireyes’ hopes of contesting The Metropolitan appear to have evaporated after he was unable to secure a start in last week’s Kingston Town Stakes. Trainer Tom Charlton, who partners with John O’Shea, suggested this outcome might be beneficial.
The Randwick-based trainer believes the circumstances would have been unfavourable for the gelding. O’Shea and Charlton have now designated Saturday’s Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1900m) at Rosehill as an alternative, eagerly anticipating the gelding’s opportunity to claim his first Australian victory.
“From the gate he would have gone back and it would have been impossible for him to win the way the track was playing,” Charlton remarked regarding the Kingston Town Stakes, which saw The Euphrates victorious.
“Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, but he’s going very well and he’d be a live chance (this week).”
“I’d say it would be unlikely to go to The Metropolitan, but I guess there would some circumstances you would consider it.”
“If he were to finish on the bridle and won easily you’d think about, but at this stage we’d probably think he’s headed in another direction.”
A complication for Starzintheireyes’ campaign this weekend is the necessity to compete against his stablemate, Mister Rizz.
The benchmark 88 handicap on Saturday was earmarked for Starzintheireyes following his decisive first-up triumph in a Hawkesbury Class 1 race on September 5. This 1800m event marked his maiden win in Australia, occurring on his third start after achieving placings at Scone and Rosehill in May. Charlton conveyed that the gelding is a highly regarded member of their stable.
“He’s quite a raw individual, he still does a few things wrong, but he’s a strong galloper and one that’s got potential in his time here in Australia,” Charlton stated.
“He was good the other day at Hawkesbury in a weak race, he was entitled to win like that, but we feel like he’s progressing in the right direction.”
“There’s still a lot of upside with him and he’s definitely improving, that’s for sure.”
Mister Rizz, a five-year-old by Lope De Vega with two wins and five placings from nine starts, has drawn barrier three and will be partnered by Zac Lloyd. James McDonald is scheduled to ride Starzintheireyes, who will start from barrier five.
Punters can find competitive racing odds on the Toyota Forklifts Handicap at leading Australian betting sites.