Galileo’s champion half-brother Sea the Stars is getting very close to his century of stakes-winners with imported stayer Desert Icon (FR) becoming his 99th stakes-winner when taking out the Group III MVRC JRA Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night in the Star Thoroughbreds colours.
Trained by Chris Waller, Desert Icon opened up a big lead turning for home and kept up a good gallop for Brett Prebble to win by more than three lengths.
"He's a horse that once he starts finding form that he holds it quite well. Brett certainly suits him. He rode him perfectly and he seems to have figured him out now especially around The Valley and pressing the buttons at the right time and getting the job done,” said stable representative Jo Taylor.
There are no lofty plans for Desert Icon, who was stakes-placed in the UK and has the overall record of six wins and eight placings from 23 starts earning over $400,000.
"I think we'll just take it one step at a time. There are bigger tasks that he can be set for but it really was just to see what he could step up to this preparation and tonight again it was a step up for him and he showed that he's up to the task,” Taylor said.
Desert Icon was bought for 210,000 guineas by his trainer from the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale in 2020 and runs for an ownership group that includes Star Thoroughbreds.
Desert Icon is a half-brother to stakes-placed Gardol City and is the best of five winners from Plume Rose, who comes from the family of Arc winner and European Horse of the Year Peintre Celebre.
