Starspangledbanner 2YO Wins $1million Showdown on Debut

Tara Madgwick - Saturday April 27

Well known bloodstock agent Shane McGrath has already had a hand in the purchase of one outstanding juvenile trained by Clinton McDonald this season in Hayasugi and he has also unearthed another with exciting Starspangledbanner gelding Stanley Express landing a sizable betting plunge to win the $1million MRC TBV Showdown (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Stanley Express wins the $1million Showdown at Caulfield - image Reg Ryan/ Racing Post

Stanley Express was a dual acceptor on Saturday with connections also giving consideration to the Group III SAJC Breeders Stakes at Morphettville, which was ultimately won in a canter by Zoustar colt Growing Empire, so electing to chase the cash in Melbourne was a good decision.

With race favourite Bold Bastille scratched at the barrier, Stanley Express found his task a little easier and rose to the challenge for Luke Nolen. He travelled quietly back in the field and charged to the line to win by half a length to the delight of punters.

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Stanley Express was an $18 chance at 9am on Saturday, but just 20 minutes before the race was in to $7 and when Bold Bastille was ruled out, he firmed in to $5 by the time they jumped.

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t;He's done an amazing job this horse as we missed a trial with him," McDonald explained. "But he's a horse that we had a good line on and he's showed us a lot at home.

"The best in the business, Shane McGrath, he found him. He's picked Hayasugi and this horse. I think he paid $100,000 for this and $40,000-odd for Hayasugi."

Stanley Express and his many happy owners! - image Reg Ryan / Racing Photos

McDonald is already looking to the future for Stanley Express with a working holiday ion the Queensland winter sunshine on the agenda.

"We'll take him up to Queensland," McDonald said. "We are going to take six-to-eight horses and winter them up there.

"I think he can be a real top-notch three-year-old sprinter. He's got a big frame on him, he moves well and he's got a big motor.

"We'd like to give him a run up there, give him a break in the warmer weather and look at the spring."

Stanley Express was purchased at the MM National Weanling Sale for $110,000.

Stanley Express was purchased for $110,000 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale by Josiah Ma/Shane McGrath from the Emirates Park draft.

Bred and sold by Emirates, Stanley Express is the best of three winners from Vivid, a minor winner by Eavesdropper (USA) that traces back to a legendary blue hen with his fifth dam being Eight Carat (GB).

Unfortunately for Emirates Park, Vivid has missed in her last two seasons to Tassort, the exciting young sire they stand in conjunction with Newgate Farm.

Stanley Express looks to be another bright prospect for Starspangledbanner from a very promising crop of Australian bred juveniles that also includes stakes-winning fillies Herastar and Lincolnshire.

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Race Result - The TBV Vobis Platinum Showdown 1200m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.71
1
Stanley Express
- 2g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Vivid (AUS) (Eavesdropper (USA))
Tnr: C W McDonald Rdr: L Nolen 58
2
0.5
Symphony Of Colour
- 2f Shamus Award (AUS) x Nediym's Glow (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: M J Ellerton Rdr: J Bowditch 56
3
1.3
Stormbourg
- 2g Strasbourg (AUS) x Graceful Storm (AUS) (Hinchinbrook (AUS))
Tnr: J F Moloney Rdr: Patrick Moloney 58
4
1.6
Lincolnshire
- 2f Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Furnival (USA) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: Ms L J Meech 56
5
1.8
War Council
- 2c Royal Meeting (IRE) x Russian Rites (AUS) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: D Yendall 58
6
1.9
Indefinite
- 2g Brazen Beau (AUS) x Timespan (GB) (Al Kazeem (GB))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Ben Allen 58
7
2
Gellhorn
- 2f Omaha Beach (USA) x Sigrid (AUS) (Brazen Beau (AUS))
Tnr: M C Kent Rdr: Ethan Brown 56
8
4.3
Coastal Abbey
- 2f Omaha Beach (USA) x Stockton Abbey (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Angelone Rdr: Will Price 56
9
4.7
Mrs Archibald
- 2f Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Super Snob (AUS) (Toorak Toff (AUS))
Tnr: Jason Warren Rdr: D Moor 56
10
4.7
Linkvue
- 2g Overshare (AUS) x Linkville (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: Toby Lake Rdr: J Mott 58
11
6.7
Cosmic Ride
- 2f Shamus Award (AUS) x Cosmic Rock (AUS) (Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Zac Spain 56
12
7.5
Toroness
- 2f Toronado (IRE) x Single Princess (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: Simon Zahra Rdr: Celine Gaudray 56
13
10.7
Centre Square
- 2g Blue Point (IRE) x Showy Zoe (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Declan Bates 58
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