Star Stayer Wins G3 JRA Cup

Tara Madgwick - Friday September 23

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.

Desert Icon scores a commanding win in the G3 JRA Cup -image Grant Courtney

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.

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"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.

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Race Result - Jra Cup Gr3 2040m

Moonee Valley Track: Soft(6) Time: 2:09.17
1
Desert Icon
- 7g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Plume Rose (GB) (Marchand De Sable (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Prebble 54
2
3.5
Nerve Not Verve
- 7m Shocking (AUS) x Bilancia (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Jamie Kah 54
3
4.0
Persan
- 6g Pierro (AUS) x Ofcourseican (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Damian Lane 57
Pierro
4
6.2
Makram
- 6g Make Believe (GB) x Spontaneous (IRE) (Sinndar (IRE))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: Jye McNeil 54
5
7.0
Grand Promenade
- 7g Champs Elysees (GB) x Zacchera (GB) (Zamindar (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: B Melham 57
6
7.7
Sound
- 10h Lando (GER) x Sky Dancing (IRE) (Exit To Nowhere (USA))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: J Mott 56.5
7
9.2
Prix De Turn
- 4h Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Prix Du Sang (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Brown Rdr: Beau Mertens 54
8
12.7
Aurora's Symphony
- 6g Glass Harmonium (IRE) x Aurora's Hot (AUS) (Fantastic Light (USA))
Tnr: Symon Wilde Rdr: K Mc Evoy 54
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