Clinton Mcdonald has his eyes firmly fixed on the Oakleigh Plate after Star Patrol made a winning return at Sandown.
Star Patrol landed his first win at ‘stakes level’ when he took out the Listed WJ Adams Stakes (1000m) on Thursday.
The Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Sandown on February 25 and the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington two weeks later are next on the agenda for Star Patrol.
Sent out the $3 favourite under Ben Melham, Star Patrol showed a terrific burst of speed before recording a 1-¾ length win from On The Lead ($4) with dead-heaters Dragonstone ($4.80) and Starry Legend ($15) a half-length away third.
Star Patrol has now won four of his 12 starts and McDonald said the gelding was now starting to be a racehorse.
“Coming around the bend I was pretty confident and once Ben balanced him up and gave him one around the backside, he really let rip,” McDonald said.
“We’ve got big targets in sight this campaign. He should get into the Oakleigh Plate with no weight and that’s got to be a big plus.
“I can take him to the beach for a week, muck around for another week then give him one or two gallops and he’ll be right.”
McDonald said he was surprised to see Starry Legend, a noted leader, back in the pack, but was equally impressed with how Star Patrol settled in the run.
Melham said McDonald made the right decision in abandoning Star Patrol’s last preparation without the gelding having a start.
“Clinton put him out at the start of his last prep when he wasn’t happy with him,” Melham said.
“That has been the making of him and it might help him get out in trip a bit.
“He’s a big striding horse, with a big action on him and he’s a bit more relaxed this time in.
“He wanted to get it over and done with last time, but he gives himself a chance to run it out now.”
Unfortunately for Melham, the jockey will likely have to forego the ride on Star Patrol in the Oakleigh Plate as he struggles to ride under 55kg.
