Super Estrella ‘Underdone' For Topgun Stayers

STAYING superstar Super Estrella goes into Saturday night's Group 1 Topgun Stayers (730m) at The Meadows “a little underdone”.

That's the warning trainer Dave Smith said of the Fernando Bale bitch and hot favourite coming off a seven-win sequence which incorporated wins in the G1 National Distance and G2 Sydney Cup and a Wentworth Park track record.

“It is three weeks since she had a race,” said Dave.

“And everyone knows stayers need to race and race and race.”

The Group 1 Sportsbet Topgun Stayers Box Draw is complete!

Can they beat the superstar from NSW Super Estrella after she has drawn box 2? pic.twitter.com/qvimLOgXQj

— Melbourne Greyhounds – The Meadows (@MelbourneGreys) October 31, 2022

While Super Estrella has been kept up to the mark with trialling, Smith said promised races for the bitch from clubs had not eventuated.

“I took her down to The Meadows and trialled her there last Monday week,” he said.

“She went 42.60 and the free for all on the same night went a tick slower.”

But it was a trial at Wentworth Park last Saturday after the last race and in windy conditions that has Smith ever so slightly concerned.

“She went 42.40 which is a good way off her track record,” he said.

“But considering the conditions on the night I was not disappointed.”

Smith has had the bitch checked out, her blood tests have been spot on and he will head to Melbourne by road early Saturday for the Group 1 invitation.

Super Estrella has drawn box two.

Favourite Super Estrella leads from start to finish to win the Sydney Cup Final at Wentworth Park! pic.twitter.com/po1jBkQ4w0

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 24, 2022

She comes into the race with a career of 70 starts and 33 wins for stakes of $454,000.

“She needs this race,” said Dave.

“I was always going to give her a freshen up after the Sydney Cup but it was never going to be this long.”

The bitch has been to Melbourne three different times.

“She is obviously going much better now,” said Smith.

“She ran third in the Topgun Stayers to Gypsy Wyong last year, and then was dragged down when unplaced at Sandown in May behind Collinda Lady.”