By Neil Evans
It’s a 1500km change of scenery, but the view might look ideal for an ex-Queensland mare having her first start in NSW at Monday’s Goulburn meeting.
Everlasting Stars, a five-year-old who hasn’t raced since an unplaced effort at Rockhampton in northern Queensland last October, steps out for the first time in the new Danny Williams stable at Goulburn.
Racing heads to Goulburn on Monday for an eight-race program.Credit: Getty
Formerly with Liam Birchley over the border, Everlasting Stars had been a galloper of immense frustration for owners ever since landing her only win in a moderate maiden at the Sunshine Coast more than two years ago.
Despite often starting well in the markets across city, provincial and country venues, she was nothing but inconsistent despite reaching Saturday metropolitan company.
But fast forward to 2025, and a long trip south to one of country NSW’s leading yards, and Everlasting Stars is set to put endless months of frustration behind her.
On a track likely to settle around Soft 6 range, she opened up around $4.80 in early betting for a Class 1 Hcp over 1000m.
Bred to fire on rain-affected ground, Everlasting Stars is expected to come to hand early fresh despite not having publicly trialled.
Her biggest test will likely come from the Warwick farm-based David Pfieffer stable.
While early favourite Explosive Torpido is very unlikely to start after resuming in a deeper BM 72 Midway at Randwick on Saturday, stablemate mare Skiesthelimit is set to run a big race fresh behind two improving trials.
The Williams stable will be hoping Everlasting Stars is the first of a race-to-race double, with promising three-year-old Chemtrail resuming for just his second start in a Class 1 Hcp for the boys over 1000m.
The son of high-class and versatile sprinter Cosmic Force hasn’t started since an eye-catching debut win at Nowra last October.
But Chemtrail has reportedly trained on strong, and with bloodlines to suggest he will handle any level of wet track, looks a huge chance to make it two from two.
Williams also saddles up first-up Wagga maiden winner Winning Emotions in that race, although the big threat is likely to come from Warwick farm-based Orthies who finished hard to win a maiden at this track when resuming seven weeks ago, and now looks primed to peak third-up.
Beskar set for Queensland winter raid
Trainer Anthony Freedman indicated promising two-year-old Beskar may push on to the Queensland winter carnival after he was scratched on Saturday at Randwick.
Beskar was favourite for the 2YO race which opened the program, but he was scratched after coughing on Saturday morning, prompting an examination which found mucus.
A winner on debut at Geelong, Beskar was then a half-length third in the group 3 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick on April 5.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman stable was considering a Queensland winter carnival campaign before Saturday’s setback. Anthony said that could still be on the cards for the “above average” talent.
“There’s not much here for him, so he may go to Queensland,” he said.
“We’ll see if it fits in with the spring.”
Ban to rule Gibbons out of Gosford program
Dylan Gibbons will miss Gosford’s standalone The Coast program on May 10 after picking up a careless riding suspension on Saturday at Randwick.
Gibbons found a rails run on Kris Lees-trained Zaphod in the fifth race, an 1800m benchmark 94 handicap, to finish second to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Les Vampires.
However, in going for the run, Gibbons caused interference to Anna Roper’s mount, Roma Avenue.
He pleaded guilty to careless riding approaching the 300m when Zaphod shifted in when not sufficiently clear of Roma Avenue, which was crowded, lost its rightful running and was checked.
Gibbons, who has returned from more than four months out with a shoulder injury to ride five winners, was suspended from May 6-15.
Chad Schofield received a reprimand for careless riding on Poppin’ Champagne in the last.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
