Star Patrol Explosive in Adams Stakes

Mark Smith - Thursday January 26

Star Patrol opened his stakes account in the Sheen Panel Service WJ Adams Stakes (1000m) at Sandown-Hillside on Australian Day in a fashion that suggests better races are in store for the son of Starspangledbanner.

Bring on the Oakleigh Plate (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Ben Melham for Clinton McDonald, Star Patrol displayed an electric turn of foot to put the race to bed in a matter of 50 metres.

Advertisement

On The Lead (I Am Invincible) ran into traffic problems in the straight but could get no closer than one and three-quarter lengths, with Dragonstone (Mikki Isle) a further half-length back in third after having trouble securing a clear run.    

Beginning his career with Kacy Fogden before transferring to Mark Newnham and then Clinton McDonald, Star Patrol is building an impressive strike rate.

The 4yo gelding advances to four wins, three seconds and two thirds from 12 starts, with earnings of $332,000.

“I was surprised when Starry Legend went back, but Yulong Command ripped along, and I was surprised how well he jumped and put himself there, McDonald said.

“I was pretty confident once ben balanced him up. I said don’t let him go until you got him straight and his action is right.

“Once he gave him one on the backside, he let rip.

“He gets the speed wobbles, but we said to just go with him, don’t fight him.

“We are happy to see him come back and that we are on the right path.

“We have big targets in sight. Getting him into the Oakleigh Plate with no weight will be a big plus.”

Star Patrol a $78,000 Inglis Classic yearling

Bred by Greenhaven Park Stud and Dream Run Thoroughbreds, the son of Starspangledbanner was a $78,000 purchase from the Lustre Lodge draft at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

He is the lone winner from two to race from the talented O’Reilly mare It’s One, who was a 5-time winner for Robbie Griffiths.

After missing for three seasons since Star Patrol, It’s One sold for just $800 at the 2021 Inglis June (Late) Online Sale. She was covered by Doubtland last spring.

Star Patrol becomes the 27th stakes-winner for Starspangledbanner. The son of Choisir has enjoyed great success north of the equator and did not return south after leaving for Coolmore, Ireland in 2021.

     

Advertisment

Race Result - Sheen Panel Service W.J. Adams LR 1000m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Good(3) Time: 0:57.14
1
Star Patrol
- 4g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x It's One (AUS) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C W McDonald Rdr: B Melham 55.5
2
1.8
On The Lead
- 5g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Marechal (NZ) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: Richard & Will Freedman Rdr: Craig Williams 55
I Am Invincible
3
2.3
Dragonstone
- 4g Mikki Isle (JPN) x Quick's The Word (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: B Shinn 56
3
2.3
Starry Legend
- 4g Zoustar (AUS) x Savsenga (AUS) (Reset (AUS))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: Jye McNeil 54
Zoustar
5
3.0
Yulong Command
- 5g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Prettyhappyaboutit (AUS) (Magnus (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Jamie Kah 57
6
3.7
Esta La Roca
- 5m El Roca (AUS) x Camouflaged (AUS) (Strategic (AUS))
Tnr: Lloyd Kennewell Rdr: Damian Lane 57
7
4.4
Not An Option
- 5g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Chintz (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: M J Dee 58
8
5.7
Vainstream
- 8g Bel Esprit (AUS) x Yasey San (AUS) (Yasey (JPN))
Tnr: John Pascoe Rdr: C Newitt 55
9
5.8
Alpha One
- 3c Super One (AUS) x Cash First (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Moor 54
More Reading...
Itchintogo Gives Gollan Consecutive Phelan Ready Wins
Jumping away the narrow second favourite off the back of his second place on debut, Tony Gollan’s Itchintogo (Sun City) will now head to the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast after winning the $200,000 Listed BRC Phelan Ready Stakes (1100m), becoming the first stakes winner for his sire.
First Win for $1million I Am Invincible Filly
A $1million Magic Millions purchase from Widden Stud, I Am Invincible filly La Basilique cast off maiden status with a tenacious win at Randwick on Friday afternoon in the Yulong colours.
G1 Plans for Invincible Sprinter
A five year-old son of I Am Invincible, Caballus is a very much a sprinter on the rise and turned in a blistering performance at Doomben on Saturday to go within a whisker of the course record when blasting his rivals to win the Group III BRC George Moore Stakes (1200m).
Cosmic Force Filly Wins $250,000 Emerging Stars Final at Ballarat
By under-rated sire Cosmic Force from the famed ‘Discreet’ family promising filly Shystar enjoyed a lucrative pay day on Saturday when taking out the $250,000 Emerging Stars Final (1400m) at Ballarat.
Consecutive Ballarat Cup Wins For Berkeley Square
While it has been 12 months between drinks so to speak for Dan O’Sullivan’s Berkeley Square with his last race victory coming in this very same race last year, Saturday’s victory in the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) took the earnings of the 6yo Territories (IRE) gelding past the $2m mark.
G2 Gilgai Stakes to Star Patrol
The $300,000 Group II VRC Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday produced a brilliant victory for explosive Starspangledbanner sprinter Star Patrol, who is just starting to hit his best form age five.
Starspangled Sprinter Wins G2 Bobbie Lewis
The $300,000 Group II VRC Bobbie Lewis Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday produced a hectic finish with brilliant Starspangledbanner gelding Star Patrol producing his A game to win by a head over King of Sparta with race favourite Benedetta a head away in third place.
New SW Lucky Vega - That's Gold Wins G3 Bonecrusher
Bred and sold by Yulong, talented colt That's Gold became a new stakes-winner for Lucky Vega (IRE) when taking out the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. 
Shamexpress Sprinter wins G3 Spring Sprint
Lightly raced six-year-old The Scunner showed his last start runner-up finish at Group Three level was no fluke as he backed that effort up with another professional display to capture the Gr.3 Taylor Property Plus Spring Sprint (1400m) at Trentham.
New SW for Wrote - Midnight Edition wins G3 Concorde Stakes
Midnight Edition, who has genuine claims to the title of most improved galloper in the North Island this season, stepped up to a new level at Pukekohe when he claimed the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) in emphatic fashion.