Latest News
Powerhouse Choisir colt Starspangledbanner went into the prestigious Group One MRC Caulfield Guineas at Caulfield on Saturday very much the underdog and emerged a budding superstar after blitzing a crackerjack field to win by nearly three lengths.
In sizzling form this spring, with three explosive wins and a desperately unlucky fourth in his last lead up run, Starspangledbanner had failed to garner the plaudits of highly fancied rivals such as Denman, Trusting and So You Think, but when it came time to rumble, it was the big chestnut who brought his ‘A game' to Caulfield.
Turned out in superb order by astute trainer Leon Corstens for his first crack at 1600 metres, Starspangledbanner drew the rails and jockey Danny Nikolic had no hesitation in making full use of the coveted draw.
He went straight forward to lead and dominated throughout, opening up by as much as five lengths on the field during the middle stages and then kicking strongly on the turn.
The expected late charge from the backmarkers never materialized, Elvstroem colt Carrara doing best to run second after trailing the leader all the way with Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) a gallant third.
"This horse is the best three-year-old in Australia," stable manager Troy Corstens said.
"No-one except us thought he'd run out the distance but he certainly did.
"It's great for all his owners we've got all sorts of people in him from tradesmen to millionaires like Tony Santic."
The colt missed the race record time by a quarter of a second, but Danny Nikolic said the early speed gave him no cause for concern.
"He went reasonably quickly until I gave him a breather but he always felt nice and relaxed under me," he said. "I got pretty confident from the 500 metres."
Nikolic has formed a great association with Starspangledbanner, partnering the colt in his last four starts.
"When I first started riding him I thought he was a 1000 metre, maybe 1200 metre horse, but you know he just keeps surprising you.
"This horse will be a great stallion some day, he has incredible speed and the real grit to go with it, he can do it from 1000 metres to 1600 metres, the sort of scope the best stallions have."
A $120,000 purchase at the 2008 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Starspangledbanner was bred and offered for sale by Tony Santic's Makybe, the breeder electing to retain a share in the new ownership.
In winning the Caulfield Guineas, Starspangledbanner became the latest millionaire in racing, his overall record now five wins and two placings from nine starts with prizemoney of $1,029, 075.
Starspangledbanner is the third foal of stakes-placed Gold Anthem, whose dam National Song is a half-sister to Group One AJC Australian Oaks winner Circles of Gold, renowned as the dam of champion racehorses Elvstroem and Haradasun, so he certainly has a stallions pedigree
Gold Anthem has a two year-old filly by Royal Academy (USA) that made $120,000 at Magic Millions earlier this year, a yearling filly by Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) and has a colt foal (pictured above) this spring from the first crop of Makybe's young sire Purrealist.
Starspangledbanner has the honour of becoming the first Group One winner for his illustrious sire Choisir, who made racing history when he travelled to Royal Ascot in 2003 to win the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes and Group Two King's Stand Stakes.
By Tara Madgwick - Saturday, 10 October 2009