He left it late, but Fifty Stars was too good during Saturday’s Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill, storming down the straight to win narrowly at the line.
Lindsay Park’s Irish four-year-old looked no chance over the final furlong, trailing by a length at the 100m mark behind fellow countryman Mask of Time and third place-getter Dyslexic. Punters who got on board the $2.85 favourite watched on nervously as Fifty Stars let down late with jockey Jye McNeil on board, only to be rewarded with a thrilling win on the heavy track.
Fifty Stars has firmed onto the second line of betting ahead of next month’s Doncaster Mile. Photo Credit: Steve Hart.
Fitness proved the difference for Fifty Stars, who has now won back-to-back starts. He’ll likely head to the Doncaster Mile (1600m) on April 6, a race that’s seen him firm into $11.00 behind Happy Clapper, Alizee and $4.00 favourite, The Autumn Sun.
McNeil, who is rarely seen racing in Sydney, thinks the plan to head to Randwick next month more than makes sense.
“I think he stays in Sydney and goes on a Doncaster path with a light weight and off that he has to be in the mix as a good lightweight chance. I can ride the weight so I will definitely be putting my hand up” McNeil said.
David Hayes also agreed with McNeil, backing his horses fitness to carry over into the $3 million race.
“He’s naturally a fit horse and if he pulls up well we will look at going to the Doncaster for him” Hayes said.
“That would be the logical plan. He’s certainly, now that he is out to that distance range, he is building a really good record. He was there to be beaten today.”
Dyslexic also stands a chance at the Doncaster after holding on strongly over the journey on Saturday.
Full Doncaster Odds:
