Second Blamey for Fifty Stars But Where To Next?

Mark Smith - Saturday February 29

Fifty Stars (IRE) defended his title in Saturday’s Group II Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington earning him an entry for the $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield in a fortnight, which throws up something of a dilemma for the five-year-old’s connections.

The son of Sea The Stars is obviously a valuable stallion prospect but has failed to win in seven starts at Group 1 level.

He came closest when narrowly edged out by Fierce Impact (JPN) in the Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last spring but the All-Star Mile, which will be run this year at Caulfield, is not graded while next week’s Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington carries the all-important Group 1 status.

In two previous starts at 2000 metres, Fifty Stars (IRE) finished fifth in Magic Wand’s Mackinnon Stakes and was sixth in the Ballarat Cup.Where to next for Fifty Stars? images Grant Courtney

He was strong at the finish of Saturday’s race where he defeated Secret Blaze (Sizzling) by one and a half lengths with Admiral's Joker (Bel Esprit) a neck back in third.

Co-trainer David Hayes said he will consult with owner Gerry Ryan on the immediate future of Fifty Star (IRE).  

"We're just going to sleep on it," Hayes told racing.com.

"He's a stallion prospect by Sea The Stars so a Group 1 Australian Cup win would be a great race for him to win but it's (All-Star) the richest mile in the world so we might go to Sydney for the Group 1s after the race.

"If the Guineas form has blown us out of the water and we were kidding ourselves, the Australian Cup is very tempting.

Advertisement

"Smarter people than me can dissect the two races and have a look but I've got a feeling that will measure up favourably.

"If he were mine, I would go for the All-Star Mile but he's not mine."

Formerly trained by Darren Weir, Fifty Stars (IRE) was transferred to David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig early last year.

With two Blamey Stakes, a Group II ATC Ajax Stakes and a Group III MRC Sandown Stakes on his resume, Fifty Stars (IRE) advances his record to 9 wins and 3 seconds from 22 starts with earnings of $1,138,550.

He was a 110,000 guineas purchase by John Foote out of the Airlie Stud draft at the 2016 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

The son of the champion Sea The Stars is out of the unraced Sadler's Wells mare Swizzle Stick who is a half-sister to the Group II winner and Irish joint champion two-year-old filly of 2012, Viztoria (Oratorio).

Advertisment

Race Result - Blamey Stakes Gr2 1600m

Flemington Track: Good(3) Time: 1:34.54
1
Fifty Stars
- 5h Sea The Stars (IRE) x Swizzle Stick (IRE) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: Craig Williams 58
2
1.5
Secret Blaze
- 4g Sizzling (AUS) x Abscond (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: Jamie Kah 57
3
1.8
Admiral's Joker
- 7g Bel Esprit (AUS) x Admiral's Lady (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: Kylie Vella Rdr: S Vella 58
Bel Esprit
4
2.8
So Si Bon
- 6g So You Think (NZ) x Black Minx (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: L Nolen 57
5
3.0
Galaxy Raider
- 7g Hard Spun (USA) x Galaxy Light (AUS) (Way Of Light (USA))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: Teodore Nugent 55
6
3.2
Ringerdingding
- 4h Sebring (AUS) x Maybe I (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: Anthony Freedman Rdr: John Allen 57
7
3.3
Night's Watch
- 6g Redwood (GB) x Glory Run (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: D Oliver 55
8
6.5
Guizot
- 7g Tertullian (USA) x Guantana (GER) (Dynaformer (USA))
Tnr: Aaron Purcell Rdr: Jordan Childs 55
9
7.8
Gallic Chieftain
- 7h Tamayuz (GB) x Katerini (FR) (Cacique (IRE))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: Damian Lane 58
More Reading...
Debut Winner for Kings Legacy
King’s Legacy posted a seventh first crop winner on Friday with a fast finishing debut victory at Goulburn for talented gelding Nothing But Net.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Derby
It’s been 15 years since Dariana thumped the colts to win the Queensland Derby (2400m) in 2010 and maybe it’s time for another filly to triumph!
One to Watch – Bendigo
A flashy chestnut filly with a bit of the Apache Cat’s about her was an eye-catching five length debut winner at Bendigo on Friday for the Ciaron Maher stable.
Investing in Fillies Can Pay Big Dividends
We saw it earlier this month at Inglis Chairman’s Sale and we saw it again this week, purchasing yearling fillies that can perform to a high level has the potential to yield a big pay day in the sale ring, so let’s take a closer look.
Sires With Winners - Friday May 30
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
King’s Legacy Filly Wins by Three
The Lindsay Park team produced an impressive juvenile winner at Pakenham on Thursday evening with King’s Legacy filly Bella Pietra winning as she pleased.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
There were six heats for juveniles at the Randwick trials on Friday and some interesting unraced winners including a $1.45million colt by Extreme Choice and a Too Darn Hot (GB) filly bred to win an Oaks..
Fifty Stars Powers Home in the Australian Cup
The decision to start last week’s Blamey Stakes (1600m) winner Fifty Stars in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in preference to the All-Star Mile paid off when the son of Sea The Stars chalked up a maiden Group 1 win in the $1,500,000 feature, however, there is still a chance the import will line up for a third week in the row in the $5 million showpiece at Caulfield.
Sires With Winners - Thursday May 29
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Expensive Ghaiyyath Colt Wins Stakes
Darley shuttler Ghaiyyath (IRE) had his first Australian winner earlier this week and overnight produced a new stakes-winner in the UK where Godolphin owned colt Opera Ballo won the Listed Heron Stakes (1m)at Sandown.