Trainer Bryan Guy has revealed that promising three-year-old Starcourt will be given an opportunity at black type success, when he lines up for the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) at Eagle Farm on New Year’s Eve.
Bryan and Daniel Guy’s most-recent black type victory came when Eagle Way (pictured) won the Group 1 Queensland Derby in June. Photo: Steve Hart
Starcourt has made only four competitive appearances since debuting for Gary Moore at Hawkesbury in February this year, but has found excellent form through three starts for Guy and son Daniel; peaking with an impressive win in the Amgrow Maiden Plate (1200m) at Doomben on Friday.
Conceding that the son of Stratum is faced with a big step up in class in what is likely-to-be a talented Vo Rogue Plate field, Guy told AAP that the confidence jockey Michael Rodd exuded after the gelding’s maiden win was enough for the horse to book his position in the race’s field.
“I know it is a big step up but Michael was very impressed with him. He was never going to lose,” Guy said.
“Starcourt showed he was up to better company when second behind the smart filly Savanna Amour at his first start for us.
“The Vo Rogue is always a good guide to the future and the 1300 metres should be no problem.”
Trialling well in the lead-up to his competitive debut, Starcourt immediately stamped himself as one to watch when running a credible third in the Cook’s Plumbing Supplies Maiden (1000m) on February 25th.
Beating a number of notable horses to the line in a Gold Coast barrier trial on October 25th, Starcourt made strong transition to Queensland racing when second behind Savanna Amour in the Zouki Group Qtis Handicap (1110m) on November 5th.
Luckless when fifth in the Lucrf Super Supports Jockeys Handicap (1000m) on November 19th, the gelding out of Courtney’s Cuddles beat closest rival Eat My Trust by close to five lengths in his last start.
Nominations for the 2016 Vo Rogue are due to be taken by midday, December 26th, while a final field and barrier draw will be completed and released two days later.
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