3 minute read

Dragonstone has opened favourite for the Starlight Stakes.

Consistent gelding Dragonstone will back-up in the Listed Starlight Stakes at Rosehill as trainer Mark Newnham looks to replicate a proven formula. 

The four-year-old flashed home from near-last for an eye-catching third to Athelric in The Warra (1000m) at Kembla Grange last weekend and Newnham confirmed he was on target to go around again in Saturday's 1100m Listed feature. 

It is a tactic Dragonstone has responded well to before, the backmarker coming off a seven-day turnaround to capture the Listed June Stakes earlier this year. 

"He's backed up once before and won so there's no reason not to run him," Newnham said. 

"He ran the best sectionals of the day at Kembla, the best 600, 400 and 200 (metres) of the day so he's in good form. 

"He just needs a few things to go right." 

A backmarker, Dragonstone has won four of his 15 starts and the only time he finished outside the top-five was against Mazu in the Fireball Quality in March. 

He will be joined in the Starlight Stakes (1100m) by stablemate Sneaky Paige, who has risen through the grades this preparation to be Group 3 placed behind the smart Asfoora at Flemington last start. 

The mare's best form has been on rain-affected ground and Newnham is keen to see whether she can measure up to stakes company on a firmer track. 

"She had a really good winter and she is a very good wet tracker, so we'll see how she performs on the dry," he said. 

"If she finds it a bit firm, she will probably have a break and come back for the autumn. She is stakes placed now so the idea is to try to get a stakes win with her, whether that's on Saturday or during the autumn or winter." 

A field of 14 will contest the Starlight Stakes with Dragonstone opening a $4.80 favourite on Wednesday, ahead of first-up specialist Najmaty ($6) and Fox Fighter ($6.50). 

The classy Bruckner ($7) is also being kept safe at what will be his first start since finishing runner-up to Home Affairs in the 2021 Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.