American Star (3g All American – Special Sweep) has put his hand up for a trip east to Melbourne's Spring Carnival with a dominant win in the BM70 over 1000m on the Morphettville Parks track.
The gelding's only blemish to his form thus far was last start at Morphettville (his second start), where he stepped to 1200m for the first time and was left a sitting-shot for the talented Beau Rivage, who pleasingly franked the form by again winning later in today's program.
Well-handled today by three-kilo claiming apprentice Caitlin Jones, the Mark Minervini-trained gelding found his way to the top 100m after the start, and that is where he stayed.
The further the race went, the quicker it became apparent that American Star's three rivals had their work cut out, with all three hard at work for much of the event just to match strides with the gelding, who cruised to the turn under a tight grip.
As American Star made the corner and straightened up, he quickly put two lengths on his nearest rival Jest For The Road and shot right away under Jones, who did none more than keep the gelding's mind on the job and keep him coasting to the line – a clear four-and-a-half length winner.
Whilst never easy to run quick time in small fields, American Star stopped the clock at 58.60s for the 1000m, and was the only horse in the race to break 12 seconds for the final 200m (11.94s).
Today's win was the gelding's second from three starts, with the other being a close second placing, and he quickly takes his career earnings to a tick over $50,000.
Should the new stable star pull up well from today's win, keep an eye out for him over the famous Melbourne Cup week at Flemington.
Congratulations to the owners Mario Abbracciavento, Paul Alvaro, Kobeone Syndicate, Oswald Chegia, David Dicicco, Kevin Fisher, Joe Foggo, Wayne Foran, Brad Franklin, Stooge Racing Syndicate, Mark Gosling, Ros Inglis, Kirsty Marnane, Michelle Minervini, Everyone Reckons Syndicate, John & Margaret Ray, Mark Shilton, Boys Will Be Boys Syndicate & Josef Weber.
A replay of today's event can be viewed at the following link – http://www.theracessa.com.au/show_video.php?track=30072&date=2015-10-03&race=3&trial=no