Co-trainer Peter Morgan believes that Star Rolling has taken plenty of benefit out of his first-up win in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16 and is a much fitter horse heading into the 2014 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley this weekend.

Star Rolling resumed with a tough win over Spillway in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield last month. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Star Rolling produced a tough front-running effort to start his 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a narrow win over Spillway and Gig in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes and he has impressed Morgan with the way that he has come out of Group 2 event.

The Casino Prince gelding was one of a number of Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes hopefuls that took part in a trackwork gallop at Moonee Valley this morning, including 2014 Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer, and Morgan told Racing Ahead that he was happy with the effort of his star gelding.

“He has come on well, he is about 15 kilos lighter and he has almost lost his winter coat,” Morgan said.

“He worked very well this morning at Moonee Valley and it is all go ahead for Saturday with him.

“He broke 25, but he wasn’t asked to do too much.”

Star Rolling was settled just behind the leader Zamorar in the early stages of the P.B. Lawrence Stakes, but he has shown plenty of tactical versatility during his racing career to date.

Morgan is of the opinion that Star Rolling is at his best when he can be ridden close to the pace and the veteran trainer admits that he is worried the five-year-old may be forced to do plenty of early work in the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes on Saturday; with popular front-runner The Cleaner set to assure the race is work at a quick tempo.

“The confidence level is up as far as the horse goes, but I’m not sure how the race is going to pan out with The Cleaner probably going out in front,” Morgan said.

“I wouldn’t like to think that we are going to cart the field up and it might a real weight-for-age race, with the tactics to play a big part.”

Star Rolling has been included in the nominations for both the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and is rated a $41 chance in betting markets for both races.