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.

"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...
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
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.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
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 - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.