Fifty Stars Powers Home in the Australian Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday March 7

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.

With John Allen in the saddle, Fifty Stars (IRE) charged home in the final 200 metres to deny the West Australian Regal Power (Pierro) by half a length with Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War)  another three-quarters of a length away third in a pleasing return.

It was a tenth win in the race for Lindsay Park and the third in succession after the wins of Harlem in 2018 and 2019.

"It's a real thrill, I wanted to win for Gerry Ryan and the whole team at Lindsay Park are here today, so to win the 10th is just a fantastic effort by everyone for a lot of years, over 50 years," David Hayes said.A tenth Australian Cup for Lindsay Park - images Grant Courtney

"I'm just thrilled. We planned this race for a long time and those carrots can sometimes can throw you off but Gerry in his wisdom said let's go for the Group 1 and it paid off.”

In response to Fifty Star (IRE) running in the All-Star Mile Hayes said,

Advertisement

“They can do it. I saw the Irish mare do it last year and she had three starts in two and a half weeks. We will think about it for a couple of days and not make any rash decisions.”

With the Group 1 Australian Cup, two Group II 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 10 wins and 3 seconds from 23 starts with earnings of $2,043,550.

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

The 5yo 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 - Tab Australian Cup Gr1 2000m

Flemington Track: Soft(5) Time: 2:02.18
1
Fifty Stars
- 5h Sea The Stars (IRE) x Swizzle Stick (IRE) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: John Allen 59
2
0.5
Regal Power
- 4g Pierro (AUS) x Broadway Belle (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: W Pike 59
Pierro
3
1.3
Vow And Declare
- 4g Declaration Of War (USA) x Geblitzt (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Craig Williams 59
4
3.5
Harlem
- 8g Champs Elysees (GB) x Casual (GB) (Nayef (USA))
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: Jamie Kah 59
5
4.2
Avilius
- 6g Pivotal (GB) x Alessandria (GB) (Sunday Silence (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: D Dunn 59
6
5.0
Mirage Dancer
- 6h Frankel (GB) x Heat Haze (GB) (Green Desert (USA))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: B Melham 59
7
6.0
Southern France
- 5h Galileo (IRE) x Alta Anna (FR) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: M J Dee 59
8
6.5
Miss Siska
- 6m So You Think (NZ) x Sing Hallelujah (AUS) (Is It True (USA))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: Damian Lane 57
9
6.6
Suzuka Devious
- 9h King Kamehameha (JPN) x Suzuka Laurent (JPN) (Sunday Silence (USA))
Tnr: Mitsuru Hashida Rdr: D Yendall 59
10
6.8
Kings Will Dream
- 6g Casamento (IRE) x Road Harbour (USA) (Rodrigo De Triano (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Jye McNeil 59
11
7.5
Hush Writer
- 5g Rulership (JPN) x Star Of Sapphire (USA) (Tapit (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: B Rawiller 59
12
14.5
Constantinople
- 4h Galileo (IRE) x One Moment In Time (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: G Boss 58.5
13
15.5
Cape Of Good Hope
- 4h Galileo (IRE) x Hveger (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: Regan Bayliss 58.5
14
15.7
Venice Beach
- 6h Galileo (IRE) x Danedrop (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Fred W Kersley 59
More Reading...
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
So You Think Filly Wins G2 Edward Manifold
Danny O’Brien believes he has the Group I VRC Oaks in his sights with So You Think filly Getta Good Feeling breaking her maiden in the best way possible with a last stride win in the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Inglis and Yulong Confirm Magic Time for Everest Slot
Inglis will partner with worldwide racing and breeding powerhouse Yulong for the running of the 2025 The Everest, with the combination to be represented by Magic Time in the $20m contest.
Lindsay Park Love Their Per Incanto's
Ben, Will and JD Hayes know a thing or two about the juvenile progeny of Per Incanto (USA), and they unveiled another exciting son of the Little Avondale Stud stallion in Melbourne’s first two-year-old race of the season on Saturday.
Apocalyptic Crowned Darley Princess with G1 Flight Victory
Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic has been the dominant force in the Darley Princess Series this year and she claimed the jewel in the crown at Randwick on Saturday with a commanding win in the $750,000 Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).
Derby Options Alive For Impending Colt
Tony and Calvin McEvoy look to have a smart 3yo on their hands as Impending colt Options wins the Listed VRC Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington and could now be aimed towards the $2m Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) on November 1.
Sires With Winners - Friday October 3
Here is the full list of 61 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Miraval Rose Impresses With G2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes Win
Already a Listed winner at 3 and 4, Grahame Begg’s Grunt mare Miraval Rose added her third black type victory to her record, winning the $300,000 Group 2 VRC Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) in style at Flemington on Saturday.
First Foal for Australian Cup winner Fifty Stars
Sea the Stars stallion Fifty Stars (IRE) had a successful racing career in Australia for the Lindsay Park team , notably winning the 2020 Group I VRC Australian Cup, before retiring to stud in the Northern Hemisphere to be a National Hunt sire and his first foal has delighted her owner.
Too Darn Hot’s Shiki Wins G3 Gimcrack Stakes
Winning her heat in good time at the official 2yo trials saw the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Too Darn Hot filly Shiki jump away the race favourite in Saturday’s $250,000 Group 3 Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes (1000m), a race she duly won with a fighting performance.