In-form mare Star Fashion is set to step up to Group 1 company in the Myer Classic after scoring her second win this preparation in the Group 3 $150,000 Nine West Ladies Day Vase (1600m) at Caulfield today.
Star Fashion made it back to back wins in the Ladies Day Vase after winning first up, above, at Caulfield at her previous run. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Star Fashion was the second leg of a winning double for jockey Michael Walker and Lindsay Park who won earlier in the day with Rawnaq and co-trained Tom Dabernig said that the Street Cry mare deserves her chance again at Group 1 level.
“We might look at the Myer and then possibly the Matriarch,” Dabernig said.
The Group 1 $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m) is run at Flemington on November 1 with the Group 2 $300,000 Momentum Energy Stakes (2000m), formerly known as the Matriarch Stakes, run seven days later at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Star Fashion made it back to back wins after scoring first up over 1400m at Caulfield on September 20 but could have been running around in Hong Kong had she passed the vet check pending a sale to overseas interests.
“She was supposed to go to Hong Kong but she failed the vet and thankfully for us she has come and won these two races, she’s in great form” said Dabernig, who trains in partnership with David Hayes.
Star Fashion had always shown the stable plenty of ability and was given a staying filly’s campaign in the Autumn and the Winter.
She was narrowly beaten when second to May’s Dream in the Group 1 $400,000 Schweppes Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on April 26 and was then taken to Queensland where she ran sixth to Tinto in the Group 1 $400,000 Treasury Casino & Hotel Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.
“She has that good pedigree and she was thereabouts as a three year old, but it’s really clicked,” Dabernig said.
Winning rider Michael Walker was also in for plenty of accolades after escaping a scrimmage at the 300m to serge clear on Star Fashion ($15) to win by half a length over the Lady Cumquat ($5.50) with a further length to third placegetter Suavito ($4.60).
“It was a terrific ride. Michael is really riding with his tail up today, so it was a good effort,” Dabernig said.
Race favourite Suavito was caught up behind horses at the 300m and looked unlucky while the Peter Moody trained Spirit Of Heaven ($6) was also on the receiving end of some tightening and ended up dropping out to finish in tenth position.
