Persian Star On The Rise For Brisbane Cup

Persian Star

Persian Star

Persian Star is an interesting inclusion in this weekend’s Eagle Farm Cup and while there’s a couple of things working against her, there’s a few things in her favour as well.

Robert Smerdon acknowledges himself that a weight-for-age race probably doesn’t suit her all that well and the 2200m trip is probably just short of her ideal range.

Conversely though she finds herself in a tiny field of just six runners and the race is likely to have a fair bit of pace on early.

The ultimate goal for Persian Star is the Brisbane Cup the following week but she can’t be written off completely.

“She just gets better with racing so although it’s probably an unsuitable race for her at weight-for-age the extra run will help and the back-up suits,” Smerdon said.

“She’ll drop to 52kg in the Brisbane Cup so will obviously be a much better chance over 2400m next weekend.”

It will be her sixth run of this preparation and each test has pretty much been better than the last.

If her work in Brisbane last year is anything to go by she could certainly be a strong contender over the next two weeks.

She was only two lengths away in the 2010 Brisbane Cup and there’s no question that was off a less ideal lead up.

She race din Flemington for a win over 2800m and then had a win over 3200m in the Andrew Ramsden.

Following that she didn’t race for a full month before trying to quicken the pace over a 2400m journey.

“This year the Brisbane Cup has been the target all along whereas last year was at the end of her campaign and coming back from some longer races,” Smerdon said.

“She’s been finding the line well lately but will be suited at the 2400m of the Brisbane Cup and then she’ll go on the Queensland Cup (3200m) a month later.”

Boosting her chances this weekend will be the ride of in-form jockey Luke Nolen and Glen Boss will return for the Brisbane Cup the following week.

It’s a small field for the Eagle Farm Cup however it’s a quality field as well with Scenic Shot, Triple Honour, Shoot Out, Glass Harmonium and Fanjura making up the other runners.

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