Top class Kiwi sprinter Sacred Star is ready to shine in the Group 1 $500,000 UBET BTC Cup (1200m) on Saturday after cruising around the Doomben track this morning.
BTC Cup fancy Scared Star has arrived in Queensland on the back of a Group 1 winning double in New Zealand. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Cambridge trainer Tony Pike was very pleased with the hit out and said that Sacred Star has arrived in Brisbane better credentialed than last year.
“He had a good look at Doomben this morning, his ears pricked on the line and he worked really nicely,’’ Pike told The Courier-Mail.
“He came over here last year with solid form at home in New Zealand but his form is better this year. His run in the Stradbroke last year was super and he was one of the few closers in the race.”
Sacred Star arrived in Brisbane twelve months with two Group 1 placings to his credit with a third in the NZ$200,000 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham and a second in the NZ$200,000 NRM Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.
The Flying Spur gelding then went on to win the Group 2 $175,000 Magic Millions QTC Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm before running a mighty race to finish fifth behind River Lad, Temple Of Boom, Srikandi and Spirit Of Boom in the Group 1 $1.36m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) also at Eagle Farm.
This year Sacred Star crosses the Tasman on the back of a Group 1 winning double and will be a major Winter Carnival force again following his victories in the NZ$250,000 JR & N Berkett Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham and in the NRM Sprint.
BTC Cup rival Srikandi was also an early morning visitor to Doomben and looked in terrific shape as she strode around the outside of the course proper.
The Ciaron Maher trained mare could not have been more impressive in kicking off her Winter Carnival campaign with a win in the Group 2 $200,000 SMEG Victory Stakes (1200m) at the Gold Coast on April 25.
Sacred Star is currently listed as a $13 chance for the BTC Cup with Ladbrokes.com.au who have the ‘Rockhampton Rocket’ Our Boy Malachi as the $4.20 early favourite.
Srikandi is on the second line of betting at $5.50 just ahead of smart Victorian sprinter Trust In A Gust at $6.50 with Bring Me The Maid, El Roca and Scissor Kick all marked at $11.
