Starzintheireyes’ chances of a start in The Metropolitan have likely diminished after failing to gain a run in last week’s Kingston Town Stakes, a situation trainer Tom Charlton believes might be for the best.
The Randwick trainer, who works in partnership with John O’Shea, suggested that the gelding would have faced an uphill battle.
O’Shea and Charlton are now targeting Saturday’s Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1900m) at Rosehill as a contingency plan, eager to see the gelding have a chance at his first win in Australia.
“From the gate he would have gone back and it would have been impossible for him to win the way the track was playing,” Charlton said of the Kingston Town Stakes, won by The Euphrates.
“Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, but he’s going very well and he’d be a live chance (this week).”
“I’d say it would be unlikely to go to The Metropolitan, but I guess there would some circumstances you would consider it.”
“If he were to finish on the bridle and won easily you’d think about, but at this stage we’d probably think he’s headed in another direction.”
The immediate challenge for Starzintheireyes is that he now faces stablemate Mister Rizz this Saturday.
The benchmark 88 race on Saturday was initially slated for Starzintheireyes following his commanding first-up victory in a Hawkesbury Class 1 on September 5. This 1800m event was his inaugural win in Australia, occurring on his third start after placings at Scone and Rosehill in May. Charlton indicated that the gelding is a horse they have high hopes for.
“He’s quite a raw individual, he still does a few things wrong, but he’s a strong galloper and one that’s got potential in his time here in Australia,” Charlton stated.
“He was good the other day at Hawkesbury in a weak race, he was entitled to win like that, but we feel like he’s progressing in the right direction.”
“There’s still a lot of upside with him and he’s definitely improving, that’s for sure.”
Mister Rizz, a five-year-old son of Lope De Vega with two wins and five placings from nine starts, has drawn barrier three and will be ridden by Zac Lloyd. James McDonald is booked for Starzintheireyes, who will jump from barrier five.
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