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Royal Ascot on Guineas Star's Radar
After spelling at MAKYBE for the last six weeks, the MAKYBE bred and part-owned Starspangledbanner has big Autumn riches firmly on his agenda reports Adrian Dunn in the Herald Sun.
Spectacular Caulfield Guineas winner Starspangledbanner will be restricted to an autumn sprinting campaign aimed at securing an invitation to Royal Ascot.
Starspangledbanner, one of the headline acts of the spring, returned to trainer Leon Corstens stables late last week, with the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) his kick-off race.
Corstens' son Troy said Starspangledbanner, a winner of four of his five spring starts, would also contest the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and Newmarket Handicap (1200m) in his build-up to a trip to England.
"We'd really like to take him to Royal Ascot for the King's Stand (Stakes) and Golden Jubilee," Corstens said.
"We've spoken to the people at Royal Ascot. We think it would really suit him.
"There's only 11 weeks to the Lightning and, with Dad resisting any temptation to run him in the Coolmore, it's given him an opportunity to have a good freshen up and be ready for the Lightning without having to be rushed."
Starspangledbanner spent four weeks at part-owner Tony Santic's property, MAKYBE, and according to Corstens, has grown into an outstanding type. (Starspangledbanner pictured spelling at MAKYBE).
Corstens said there had been much interest in the son of Choisir, who was one of the trailblazers for Australian sprinters at Royal Ascot.
Choisir won the 2003 King's Stand and Golden Jubilee before finishing second in the July Cup at Newmarket.
Bloodstock agents valued Starspangledbanner between $8 to $10 million after his Caulfield Guineas win.
By Adrian Dunn - Herald Sun