Trainer Russell Bell has confirmed that Sirbible will head to the 2015 Standish Handicap on New Year’s Day if he performs well in the Fiesta Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Sirbible will take on the likes of Husson Eagle (pictured) in the 2015 Fiesta Star Handicap at Flemington on Saturday. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Sirbible made his racing debut in Alice Springs in May of 2014 and worked his way through the grades impressively before he made the leap to Melbourne racing with an upset victory in the Vic Wide Towing Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley on December 4.
Bell was clearly delighted to record a maiden metropolitan race win in Melbourne and he told Racing Ahead that Sirbible has taken plenty of benefit from the win as he heads towards the Vic Wide Towing Handicap and the Listed Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day.
“His first-up record probably few a through people in regards to his form, but to be quite honest he probably should not have been beaten first-up ever,” Bell said.
“He can run some enormous sectionals and we were pretty confident that if he handled the surface and the lights on the night that he would have to be a really good chance and he was.
“His gallop here the other morning at Kyneton was just exceptional and it was the best that he has worked since he has been here.
“I was a bit concerned if he had drew out the first time down the straight, but he works down the straight at home and I don’t think the straight will worry him.
“He obviously has a tonne of ability and in the next six months you will see a better horse again.”
Bell started his training career based in Seymour in 2006 and he made the decision to move his operation to the Alice Springs in 2010, where he has now trained 41 winners from 337 runners.
The passionate trainer said that he has really enjoyed his time in the Northern Territory, but he believes that the time is now right to make the move back to Victoria with what he feels is a solid stable of horses.
“I have some really good clients that are Victorian-based owners and I have picked up a few more,” Bell said.
“Now that we have a pretty good stable up in Alice, we sort of thought that it was time to venture back down here and make it a little bit more widespread.
“I have learnt a lot since I have been in Alice, it has been a wonderful place for me to learn actually and I am a better trainer for it.
“Hopefully that will show that when I come back down here.”
Sirbible is currently available at 2015 Fiesta Star Handicap odds of $16 with Ladbrokes, while Husson Eagle ($4.80) is a clear favourite from Duibio ($7.50), Domesday Warrior ($8.50), Barcode ($8.50), Rock ‘N’ Gold ($9) and Smart Dart ($9.50).
