A maiden appearance at Flemington was not initially planned for Stern Idol, but with his steeplechase rivals showing reluctance to compete, a backup strategy might lead to an emotionally charged victory for his connections.
The accomplished steeplechaser is among 21 horses entered for this Saturday’s $150,000 Deane Lester Flemington Cup.
This 2800-metre race honours the late form analyst and media personality, who also served as racing advisor to Stern Idol’s managing owner, Gerry Ryan.
Stern Idol was scheduled to compete in the Mosstrooper Steeplechase on Sunday, but that event was cancelled due to him being the sole acceptor. Ciaron Maher’s assistant trainer, Jack Turnbull, indicated that the alternative plan involved either racing at Flemington or participating in a jumps trial at Coleraine two days later.
Turnbull maintains regular communication with Maher, currently in the UK, and Ryan. Both are amenable to using the Deane Lester Flemington Cup as a final preparatory run for the Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) at Sandown on August 2, which is expected to be Stern Idol’s last race.
“I had a chat with Ciaron over in London and it’s something that we are considering,” Turnbull stated regarding the possibility of a Flemington run.
“I’ve spoken to Gerry and he’s happy to do so.
“He needs a hitout. Whether or not that’s Flemington or at the trials, he’ll receive that.”
Having won 18 of his 42 starts, Stern Idol has competed 29 times in Australia, with only six of those runs on home soil being on the flat.
His initial Australian start was in a 2400m BM64 at Swan Hill’s June carnival in 2022, where he finished eighth. This mirrored his placing in the 2024 Listed Sandown Cup. The other four flat runs occurred in the 3000m BM70 race at Sandown each March.
Following a victory in that race in 2023, Stern Idol secured second place the subsequent year, third in 2025, and fourth this year.
He achieved wins at Terang and Warrnambool, including the Brierly Steeplechase(3450m), prior to a third-place finish last start in the Australian Steeplechase (3900m).
Turnbull expressed the team’s disappointment that the nine-year-old did not have the opportunity to race in the Mosstrooper, but he is confident this will not impact his chances in the Crisp Steeplechase.
“He doesn’t need to jump, he doesn’t need the practice,” he explained.
“It’s more about just having him go into the race as well as we can have him.
“I don’t think the actual lack of the race will affect his prep, because he is fit.”
Stern Idol is listed alongside stablemate Smokin’ Romans among the nominations for the Deane Lester Flemington Cup. However, Turnbull noted that the veteran Group 1 winner would likely contest the 2000m BM100 on the same day.
For those interested in the racing action, explore the latest Australian betting sites for competitive odds.