Tasracing

Tasmanian filly Still A Star ended her season on a high when she scored a game win in the $150,000 Kevin Sharkie Tasmanian Oaks over 2100 metres in Launceston on Sunday.

It was the Bill Ryan-trained filly’s fourth win in succession and gave her the clean sweep of the state’s staying races for fillies.

But yesterday’s win was her most impressive as she had to overcome a tough run and then defy six interstate rivals, but she accomplished the feat like a true champion.

Sent out the $1.50 favourite, Still A Star settled fourth with Brendon McCoull aboard but when those at the rear were set alight to put some speed into the race, McCoull was flushed out, and his charge was forced to race three-wide without cover to the home turn.

When McCoull called on the daughter of Toronado to extend she put two lengths on her rivals and staved off all challengers over the concluding stages to score by a half-length from Look Sharpish from the Leon and Troy Corstens stable with Belix a close-up third.

Ryan was emotional after the win.

“This filly has done such a great job just to make it to the Oaks let alone win it,” Ryan said.

“She’s shrugged off a virus after winning the Launceston Guineas that cost her running in the Derby and then she’s come out and won the Strutt Stakes and the Oaks.

“I’ve trained some good staying types in my time, but she would be one of the toughest fillies I’ve had in my yard.”

Still A Star goes to the spelling paddock having won six of her seven starts this season ranging in distance from 1200m to 2100m and almost guaranteed the title of Tasmanian three-year-old of the year.

McCoull said he is always pleased to win feature races for Ryan.

“Bill and I have shared a lot of success over the years and this filly would be one of the best, certainly as far as staying fillies are concerned,” McCoull said.

The crowd was near capacity for an Oaks meeting and it acted as a segway into Monday’s Tasmanian magic Millions Yearling sale that promises to produce record figures.