In Brief
- Ryan's filly emerges as a star in the making.
- Trainer rates Still A Star as potentially one of the best he has trained.
- Darmanin heaps praise on filly's brilliance.
Talented filly Still A Star delivered a career-best effort to win the $75,000 3YO Cup over 1200 metres at the Ladbrokes Racing Centre in Launceston on Wednesday night.
The Bill Ryan-trained filly settled better than midfield off a solid speed set by the favourite Deroche ($1.95) with the well-backed Sirene Stryker ($6) content to sit outside of the leader after the field had traveled 300 metres.
Deroche looked to be travelling comfortably on the home turn but when Sirene Stryker applied the pressure the favourite felt the pinch and when rider Anthony Darmanin steered Still A Star into clear racing room the filly unleashed a powerful turn of foot and quickly collared the leaders.
Still A Star went on to score by 1-1/2 lengths from the Gary White-trained Heaven’s Bonus with Sirene Stryker hanging on for a game third with Set Play ($18) running on to finish just behind the placegetters.
“I am so excited about this filly because tonight she was not in the best position to win about 250 metres from home, but when Anthony (Darmanin) eased her into the clear she let down brilliantly,” Ryan said.
“I thought she was a promising filly last season but this time in she has gone to a new level.”
Darmanin also said she could be even better when she races over 1400-1600m.
“She gave me a great feel tonight and when she was clear she showed a brilliant turn of foot,” Darmanin said.
“I thought it was an outstanding effort because at one stage we were held up in traffic with the leader off and gone but this filly finished off brilliantly.”
Ryan said he had not looked beyond the 3YO Cup but admitted he could be tempted to step her up to the 3YO Trophy over 1400m at her next start.
Watch Still A Star win the 3YO Cup in Launceston on Wednesday night.