A disappointing result in the Australian Derby has not deterred trainer Robbie Laing of sending Stars Of Carrum around in the 2019 Listed $200,000 VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on Anzac Day on Thursday.
Stars Of Carrum, above, heads up the nominations for the 2019 VRC St Leger at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Laing said there was plenty excuses to offer for Stars Of Carrum who finished thirteenth on a wet track to Angel Of Truth in the 2019 Group 1 $2m Harrolds Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Day One of The Championships on April 6.
“He didn’t have much going for him in the Derby,” Laing told AAP.
“It was a wet track, he was too close to the pace and four-deep the entire trip.”
Laing was surprised how quickly Stars Of Carrum recovered from the tough run in the Australian Derby and is willing to give him a chance to redeem himself in the VRC St Leger before heading to the spelling paddock.
“He was a bit flat for a couple of days but he’s bounced back well,” Laing said.
Stars Of Carrum was back on the training tracks at Cranbourne and pleased Laing with a solid hit out on Saturday morning.
“He galloped over a mile with a couple on the main grass,” Laing said.
“He sat back behind them in the gallop and ran away from them at the end.
“On Sunday he walked for an hour, swam three laps of the pool and had a pick of grass.
“He’s fit and well and we’ve got Craig Williams to ride him.
“He’s bounced back and is ready to go.”
Stars Of Carrum is one of nineteen horses nominated for the VRC St Leger and holds the spot at the top of the order of entry for 2800m feature for the staying three year olds.
James Cummings has entered Rock Dove, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott has Transact while Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have two among the nominations, Wil John and Navarro Lad.
Stars Of Carrum is the winner of only one race from fifteen starts in the Group 2 $200,000 Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) at The Valley during the 2018 Melbourne Spring Carnival before running second to Extra Brut a week later in the Group 1 $2m Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Day One of the 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
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