Trainer Paul Shailer out to defend home turf with Isti Star in The Debut at the Gold Coast

Trainer Paul Shailer relocated to the Gold Coast 12 months ago and is now set to prepare a promising filly for her debut run in a preparation he hopes can lead towards the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Gold Coast trainer Paul Shailer with his two-year-old filly Isti Star. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Trainer Paul Shailer admits he was in a better mood prior to the barrier draw for Friday night’s $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast.

Shailer will saddle up promising filly Isti Star for the $250,000 feature race and admitted it would be tricky from a double-digit barrier in a contest in which every single horse is on debut.

A field of 10 plus six emergencies accepted for the race on Wednesday and should there be no scratchings, Isti Star will step from the widest possible barrier, leaving Shailer crossing his fingers for a bit of luck.

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“I was in a good mood before the barriers came out but it is what it is,” Shailer said.

“You can’t really tell where she’ll get from there in a race with all these horses lining up for their first start so we’re just hoping for some luck.”

The daughter of Better Than Ready was passed in earlier this year at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when failing to meet the reserve of $140,000 and the local trainer was able to secure her on a lease deal.

Isti Star has won both trials leading into Friday’s initial stepping stone and Shailer hopes it takes the stable on a path towards next month’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Gold Coast trainer Paul Shailer is hoping talented 2yo ISTI STAR can replicate her electric trial form when she kick off her career under lights in next Friday's $250,000 @mmsnippets The Debut. @RaceQLD@tabcomau@RacingShailer

Full story - https://t.co/8f9IGxang2pic.twitter.com/xpMkRaYvqN

— Gold Coast Turf Club (@GCTurfClub) December 10, 2024

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“She was passed in at the sales and we ended up getting her on a lease deal and she’s showed plenty of talent since … hopefully she can go on with it on Friday night,” Shailer said.

“She’ll get there in good order and hopefully she can run top two.

“If she did then we’d certainly look to push onto the Magic Millions with her.”

Shailer has had plenty to do with a previous winner of Gold Coast’s pin up race, having been the stable foreman for Chris Waller when Shaquero reigned supreme in 2021.

Relocating back to Queensland last year following a training stint at Port Macquarie, he said it would be special moment preparing a runner in his own name on his home track.

“It would mean a lot if we could get her into the race,” Shailer said.

“Obviously we’ve been here for about 12 months now so to have a runner in the club’s feature race would be special.”

“Also to have one under my own name as well having had a bit to do with Shaquero when he was on that path prior to winning it a few years ago.”

Originally published as Trainer Paul Shailer out to defend home turf with Isti Star in The Debut at the Gold Coast