Persian Star's last race will be the Listed Queensland Cup

Victorian mare Persian Star will have her final race before being retired as a broodmare in this Saturday’s Listed Queensland Cup at Eagle Farm.

Jockey Chris Munce has been given the job of riding Persian Star in what her trainer hopes is a fitting farewell.

Trainer Robert Smerdon will be gearing Persian Star up with blinkers to keep her mind on the job during her final run.

“I’m putting blinkers on Persian Star on the advice of her last rider, Michael Walker,” Smerdon said.

“I’ve had her since she came into my stable as a three-year-old and I don’t recall her ever wearing blinkers before.

“Michael thought the blinkers would be a good idea as he didn’t think she was concentrating so hopefully they’ll help her switch on more.”

The six-year-old mare, who has won close to $400,000 in prize money, has been a successful addition to the Smerdon stables.

“She’s been a very good mare and has won black type,” Smerdon said.

“I got her as a three-year-old off Glen Hancock after he broke his back in a fall while breaking in a horse.”

Persian Star finished second-last in her first run this winter in the Group 2 Eagle Farm Cup, failing under the unsuitable weight-for-age conditions.

“She wasn’t suited at weight-for-age in her first run then she ran okay in the Brisbane Cup,” Smerdon said.

“I had to drop her back in distance which wasn’t ideal in the Tatt’s Cup but she still ran a reasonable race.

“Hopefully she’ll run better in her last run in the Queensland Cup as it’s a step down for her.”

The Shot Of Thunder mare has had a career spanning four years and 48 starts, from which she has produced seven wins and 11 placings.