Brisbane trainer Robert Heathcote knows he has to run Startantes in Saturday’s Silver Eagle at Randwick. He also knows she will face a heavy track, but the question he has is how heavy.
The Tatts Tiara winner has performed on the Randwick heavy before when touched out by Hinged for a group 1 in the Surround Stakes in the autumn, but it is likely that the track will be in worse condition on Saturday.
Startantes will use Saturday’s Silver Eagle as a stepping stone to the Golden Eagle.Credit:Racing Queensland
“I’m sure you feel the same way but I wish they would turn off the rain down there,” Heathcote said. “Startantes is in great condition, but we just don’t know how she would perform on a bottomless track.
“Looking at your forecast that is what we will be racing on this weekend, it just doesn’t seem to stop raining down there.”
Startantes is targeting the Golden Eagle and even after having no luck in the straight of the Golden Pendant, Heathcote has been happy with her preparation. But the worrying thing for him on Saturday is what a run on a very heavy track will take out of her.
“We know she goes on a heavy track from the Surround [Stakes], so I’m happy to run her,” Heathcote said. “We are looking to get to a $10 million in the Golden Eagle, so you are thinking what is the best way to get her there.
“This race was always in the plans and still is the best way to get there.
“Jason [Collett] rode her on Tuesday and he was glowing about her, which is always a good sign heading into a $1 million race.”
Collett won the Tatts Tiara on Startantes and was also in the saddle when she was runner-up in the Surround Stakes, and he feels she will handle a heavy track.
“She has got that action where she just skips across the track, so she should get through the ground,” Collett said. “She is in great shape and she has just kept improving since she has been here.
“We just need to have a bit of luck in running and she will be in the finish.”
Startantes is the $7 second favourite for the Silver Eagle behind Mr Mozart at $4 with punters hunting for the wet trackers, including Vilana and Waterford that have won on heavy going.
Racing NSW is monitoring the weather conditions around the state, but has not made any contingencies to move the Randwick on Saturday.
The first three home in the Silver Eagle are exempt from the Golden Eagle ballot, which makes it crucial it is run.
Meanwhile, Everest favourite Nature Strip had a jump out with a couple of stablemates at Rosehill on Tuesday.
It was the usual Nature Strip that dominated the hit-out, leaving Chris Waller and James McDonald smiling with only 10 days from his defence of his title in the $15 million showcase at Randwick.
“He went very well,” Waller said.
There are still two Everest slots remaining to be filled with Private Eye shortening to take the slot of Inglis, replacing the injured Snapdancer.
Godolphin will make a decision next week but Kementari, which was fourth to Lost And Running in the Premiere Stakes, could take the slot if the wet weather continues with Paulele and In Secret likely to target group 1 goals in Melbourne.
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