3 minute read

SHE came, she saw, she conquered! That's the only way to describe Still a Star's incredible return to racing in Launceston on Wednesday after a one-year lay-off.

In Brief

• Amazing training feat to secure Vamos win with Still a Star.
• McCoull lauds mare's performance.
• All-Star Mile next assignment.

The Bill Ryan-trained mare lined up in the $150,000 Group 3 Vamos Stakes (1400m) only days after Australia voted her into the $5 million All-Star Mile, a popularity-based race that saw her gather almost 10,000 votes to finish fourth on the pecking order.

It was an emotional experience for all who cared to pay attention to the race that held consequences if she failed, but Ryan had no doubts his four-year-old was ready for the challenge.

With punters' expectations high, Still A Star strolled around the mounting yard without a care in the world and it was much the same for Ryan, who was surprisingly calm before his stable star ventured to the barriers for the first time since winning the Tasmanian Oaks over 2100m almost a year to the day.

The well fancied Deroche burst from the gates with Craig Newitt aboard while Brendon Mccoull slitted Still a Star on the back of the leader with the race favourite Ethical Solution's rider happy to race outside of Deroche.

At the top of the straight Deroche booted clear and looked to be travelling like the winner while Ethical Solution was already starting to feel the strain of facing the breeze.

But when McCoull eased Still a Star off the rail to stake her claim and moved to the hind quarters of the leader, the crowd started to get involved and when Ryan's little "Minnie" poked her head in front and started to draw clear the crowd erupted.

It was a day of reckoning for Still a Star on many fronts, but most of all she proved she was a worthy entry in the world's richest race over a mile (1600m).

Ryan was philosophical in his assessment of his training feat and of his horse's efforts.

"It's easy to train good horses because if you think you are a horse and treat the animal as you would treat yourself in various circumstances – it's a simple task," Ryan said.

"I have a great working relationship with Brendon (McCoull) because he knows how I train my horses and when he gets on, he never lets me or the horse down."

During the All-Star Mile campaign Still a Star rose to the occasion as she worked with all forms of media, and at one stage during a photo and video shoot at Ryan's Longford property, she made a fuss when the cameras and photographers walked away from her yard.

"I'm sure she knows exactly what's going on around her and I don't think I've ever seen a more media friendly horse."

McCoull was ecstatic with the mare's first-up performance.

"To come out today in that quality field first-up over 1400m and knowing all the issues she's had, it showed her heart and Bill's training ability," McCoull said.

"She travelled nicely throughout, and I felt like I had a ton of horse underneath me and I felt that if I had the horse of old, she would win and that was the case."

"She has such a brilliant turn of foot and today she ran down a very good horse and won easily. It was an amazing effort."

Ryan said Still a Star would have a day off and then get straight back into work to prepare for the biggest race of her life at Moonee Valley on March 13.

The trainer confirmed the mare would travel to Melbourne by sea on the Thursday night prior to the race and be stabled when she can be afforded day-yard accommodation.

Watch Still a Star win the Vamos Stakes in Launceston on Wednesday.