Gilbert Gardiner’s Monday Racebook: Star shines bright under lights

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over feature meetings at Moonee Valley and Sandown.

Climbing Star raced well in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes with limited luck. Picture: George Salpigtidis / Racing Photos

Herald Sun racing writer Gilbert Gardiner runs a rule over feature meetings at Moonee Valley and Sandown on Friday and Saturday.

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FIVE TO FOLLOW

CLIMBING STAR (5th of 12, The Valley Race 7)
Next to last in the run, inside I WISH I WIN, and never got clear galloping room yet finished off as well any bar the winner SOUTHPORT TYCOON, who showed a freakish turn of foot late. Group 1 Sangster Stakes winner Climbing Star has yet to win second-up but looks set for a good campaign off the back of the fresh run in the Manikato Stakes.

SOUTHPORT TYCOON FROM THE CLOUDS! 🔥

The Written Tycoon 4YO wins his 2nd Group 1 ⭐️ @cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/Gz97Lfbadq

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 27, 2024

FRILLED (4th of 8, The Valley Race 3)
Tough watch for favourite backers as Frilled saw nothing but backsides in the straight. Hard held behind the winner HOLY RACKET and BEAST MODE over the concluding stages. Staggered if the Star Witness mare does not bounce back second up after the glorified barrier trial, the only problem is Frilled is likely to go around at $2 instead of $4.40.

Holy Racket! 🔥 @CWilliamsJockey combines with his father & brother to win heat 1 of the 55 Second Challenge 👊 pic.twitter.com/Aj6vfy7OTm

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 27, 2024

BENAGIL (8th of 11, The Valley Race 5)
Trialled up a treat before Group 3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) but never got warm in the run after being shuffled back to near last, beaten for speed out of the barriers. Travelled well but raced in restricted room throughout and lucky to get out of second gear. Look for sharp improvement second-up.

It's another black-type win for the Star! ⭐️

Bellatrix Star makes it back-to-back victories for @TeAkauRacing 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BlLgNuMs8P

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 27, 2024

MURAMASA (3rd of 8, Sandown Race 6)
There is a nice race in last spring’s dual Group 3 winner of the Coongy Cup (2000m) and VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m). Only second-up last Saturday and looked the winner but just peaked with 60kg on his back and overhauled by the race fit BERKELEY SQUARE and STAR VEGA. The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Muramasa, who has won four of 15 starts and placed three times, has entries for the Group 1 Metropolitan on Saturday in Sydney but also the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.

Berkeley Square timed his run perfectly & claims Muramasa in the shadows of the post 💪@[e-mail]/NEqprcodHH

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 28, 2024

FAREWELL TO EIRE (8th of 12, Sandown Race 3)
Previously unbeaten Kiwi import raced solidly first-up for the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman stable in the 1400m Benchmark 70. Straightened with a bit in hand but copped a bump and lost momentum. Picked herself up again and finished the race off well. Should only improve with run under the belt after eight months off the scene and the move from Matamata to Pakenham.

Seymour ➡️ Sandown ✅

Zaszou is a perfect two from two under @[e-mail]/If3L1zwBmB

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 28, 2024

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FORGIVE

STANLEY EXPRESS (7th of 7, The Valley Race 1)
Never a factor and pulled up with a cardiac arrhythmia. Talented colt going places just no last Friday night. Stick with him as there should be more wins in store.

HAYASUGI (9th of 12, The Valley Race 7)
Barrier two was always going to make it tricky for a filly that likes to hang tough and race outside horses. Star jockey Jamie Kah managed to hold a position one off the rail midfield, Hayasugi never looked comfortable between COLEMAN and KIMOCHI. Worked off heels in the straight but forget she went around.

Hayasugi on the way to the barriers before the Manikato Stakes. Picture: George Salpigtidis / Racing Photos

CRAIG (2nd of 9, Sandown Race 7)
Raced well but got too far out of his ground and could not run down the winner DESERT LIGHTNING, a seasoned galloper and Group 1 winner in New Zealand who enjoyed a perfect and most economical ride last Saturday. Craig has a big finish and a nice race in him no doubt, he is always just going to need an ounce of luck with his get-back, run-on style.

Originally published as Gilbert Gardiner’s Monday Racebook: Star shines bright under lights