Five Star Set To Shake Meadows Hoodoo

TRAINER Paul Abela will launch what he hopes is the start of a big spring campaign when Five Star takes his place in Saturday's heats of the Group 3 Top Cat Video (725m) at The Meadows.

The 10-time winning son of Fernando Bale has drawn box two in heat two of the $25,000-to-the-winner series where he is currently the $2.40 favourite with Tab.com.au.

"He's trialling as good as ever and looking at Saturday's race I think he's a great chance of finding the lead," Abela said.

"And if he does I expect him to break them up in the middle of the race and hopefully run some time.

"There's no excuses going into the race – he had a trial at The Meadows on Monday and absolutely flew so he's as good as he can be."

FIELDS AND FORM THE MEADOWS SATURDAY

Five Star heads into Saturday's Group 3 series on the back of a third placing to Mepunga Maggie in the recent Speed Star (725m) at The Meadows where he narrowly downed Empress Tears in his match-race.

The effort took the Pink Diamond Championship winner's record at The Meadows to nine starts for two wins and two placings.

"I've had a few people tell me he's not as good at The Meadows as he is at Sandown and other tracks," Abela said.

"I definitely think he prefers Sandown but I think he's been a victim of circumstance at The Meadows as well in some of his races. It's easier to get on the wrong leg there when you're not out in front.

“He showed a lot of guts to win his Speed Star match race last week when he was backing up from a 700 trial just four days earlier.

"I'm really hoping he finds the front on Saturday so I can see what he can do there."

Saturday's Group 3 tilt is the start of a big few months for Five Star which will see the Group 3 Speed Star hero from June join kennelmate Aston Ulysses in tackling some of the Victorian spring riches.

"Aston Ulysses has returned from three months off as good as ever," Abela said of the regally bred son of Kc And All and Sweet It Is.

"He ran two top seconds to McCooly's Lad at Horsham before winning over 500m at Bendigo last week in 27.99 where his run home time was off the charts. 

"Aston Ulyssess' main aims will be the Hume Cup and Sale Cup while I'm hoping to get a Topgun Stayers invitation for Five Star and the Bold Trease is there for him as well.”