Progressive galloper Star Rolling is likely to contest the John Dillon Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on January 25, rather than the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Star Rolling recorded a dominant win over Let's Make Adeal and Araldo in the 2013 Penang Trophy in Adelaide. Photo by: Jenny Barnes
Star Rolling was included in the acceptances for both events, but trainer Peter Morgan told Racing Ahead that, at this stage, the four-year-old will return to the races for the first time since October in the Listed event on Saturday.
“At this stage we are going to Caulfield on Saturday,” Morgan said this morning.
“It is not 100% percent certain yet, but I think that is where he is going.
“He had a break after the Cranbourne Cup and he does most things right, so he is in good order.”
Star Rolling was included in the nominations for the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m), which were released by Racing Victoria yesterday, and Morgan said that the son of Casino Prince could also be set for events at the highest level of racing during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
Morgan admits that he is not sure whether Star Rolling has the talent to be competitive at Group 1 weight-for-age level, but said that he is happy with the physical maturity of the four-year-old, ahead of the start of his autumn campaign.
“I’m not sure if he is a weight-for-age horse, but we have nominated him for the Australian Cup and we are looking towards Sydney too,” Morgan said.
“He has to step-up a bit and he has to come through every ok before we make a decision on where we are coming.
“I think that he is a fairly well matured sort of horse now and he does everything right.
“Whether he comes on or has improved or not I am not sure.”
Star Rolling will need to be at his best to start his preparation with a victory; with a number of talented gallopers included in the John Dillion Stakes final field.
2013 Queensland Oaks winner Gondokoro will return to the races for the first time since the 2013 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival in the Listed event, while the in-form Anlon, Darley gelding Limes, injury plagued Chase The Rainbow and Anthony Cummings-trained Reparations are also set to contest what should be an open betting race.
