Racehorse TALK

Trainer Lost But Horse Finds His Way Home

Vincent BradleyBrad Star, guided around Flemington by his namesake, Brad Rawiller, had less trouble finding his way around the course than his trainer Vincent Bradley had in finding it.

South Australian trainer Vincent Bradley had never been to Flemington in his life before today, but Brad Star's stirring win will ensure that he never forgets his visit.

"I've never been to Melbourne before. I got lost getting here", Bradley admitted.

Rawiller's navigation was spot on, having Brad Star in a perfect position throughout before engaging in a thrilling three way go which could have seen any one of the placegetters winning.

Brad RawillerBrad Star ($5.00-$6.00) prevailed by a half neck from Desert Master ($18-$21) with only a short half head to Youthful High ($8.50-$10) which sneaked up on the rails only to fail narrowly.

"I told him to take him forward and be three or four off the lead", were Bradley's instructions to Rawiller.

"A lot of his runs he's been so far back."

"He makes up heaps of ground every start but never gets there so the last couple we've ridden him a bit closer."
Rawiller made sure the instructions were followed to the letter to earn his second of four winners for the day.

"If you can be in the first half of the field with that weight hopefully it will give him his chance", he said.

Brad Star"The way it worked out, one out one back, I don't think it could have been any better."

"I'd gone past the horse outside the leader (Desert Master) and he was coming back at me pretty tough and then I saw the one on the inside (Youthful High) and to his credit he kept kicking and it was a tough fighting effort to win."

Brad StarBrad Star, which was having his eighth run this preparation, thrives on racing according to Bradley.

"He loves it", Bradley said.

"I train him hard and he raced hard."

The gelding is one of two winners by the ill-fated At Talaq stallion Staaraq from Bradley's John's Hero mare Phantasiare.

Brad Star"I trained her and she was handy without being anything special. She won three races (to 1400 metres) for us", Bradley said.

"She has also thrown Rendelsham Star and he was a good gelding for me - he won two in town (Adelaide)."

Staaraq, the sire of Brad Star and Rendelsham Star, was a popular 'bread and butter' stallion who stood at Pam Williamson's Kenton Valley Park Stud.

The sire of 62 winners including stakes gallopers Brad Star, Cyber Dream, Upmarket Star and Fava, Staaraq tragically died in November 2006.



© Cyberhorse 2009 Bill Saunders Published 25/04/09