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The Todd Howlett-trained Star Of Octagonal will return to the scene of his greatest triumph after downing a top-class field in Saturday's $150,000 Listed XXXX Gold Rowley Mile (1600m) at Hawkesbury.
The 5yo son of Octagonal looked a rising start at thee when he defeated Neeson in the Group 3 South Pacific Classic at Randwick. But the $28,000 Scone Yearling sale graduate gave Howlett and owners Phil and Leanne Moore the thrill of a lifetime when he captured the Inglis Guineas at Scone. The race does not carry black-type but its $500,000 winner's cheque that year was greater than the majority of Group One races.
So Howlett will target the Scone Cup with the gelding before embarking on a trip to Brisbane where the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap has been pencilled in.(photo Steve Hart)
"It's been a long time between runs and coming down the straight I was thinking I hope you're fit enough," Howlett said. "We were and Robert (Thompson) rode him good so it's great and I'm relieved.
"I think spacing his runs suits the horse but it's hard not to worry when you haven't raced for five weeks.
"He's been such a good horse to me and the owners."
"We'll go to Scone and maybe keep going north," he said. "I'd love to give him a crack at a Stradbroke.
"Hopefully they get a dry winter."
Star Of Octagonal's dam Joyce (Faltaat) was one of 54 mares that visited Octagonal in 2010. She foaled a sister to Star Of Octagonal in November and was bred back to Shaft.
Listed - 1600m Class: Open. Track: Dead. Time: 1:35.61. Sectional Time: 0:35.20 at 600m. Prizemoney: $150,000 - 1st: $90,000 2nd: $30,000 3rd: $15,000. |
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| 1 | 5. Star Of Octagonal | T S Howlett | R Thompson (1) |
$7.50
|
55.0 |
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5g Octagonal (NZ)
x Joyce (NZ)
(Faltaat (USA)
) Not Offered |
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| 2 | HD | 2. Western Symbol (NZ) | Ms G Waterhouse | B Shinn (5) |
$5.50
|
57.0 |
|
 5g High Chaparral (Ire)
x Blue Symbol (NZ)
(Bluebird (USA)
)Not Offered |
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| 3 | 1.5 | 10. Saint Encosta | John Thompson | J Ford (4) |
$101
|
54.0 |
|
|
5g Encosta De Lago
x St. Katherine
(Barathea (IRE)
) Not Offered |
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| 4 | 2.2 | 6. Wazn (IRE) | C J Waller | J B Mc Donald (3) |
$8.50
|
54.5 |
|
| 5h Whipper (USA) x New Story (USA) (Dynaformer (USA) ) | |||||||
| 5 | 2.9 | 8. Mirrasalo | Paul Messara | Ms K O'Hara (9) |
$101
|
54.0 |
|
| 5m Redoute's Choice x St. Therese (Dehere (USA) ) | |||||||
| 6 | 3.2 | 7. Alma's Fury | Paul Murray | P Robl (7) |
$7
|
54.0 |
|
| 4g Refuse To Bend (IRE) x Dance Attendance (NZ) (What A Guest (IRE) ) | |||||||
| 7 | 6.4 | 9. Zara Dancer (NZ) | J & G Lee | A Hyeronimus (10) |
$61
|
54.0 |
|
| 5g Savabeel x Blanchard (NZ) (Kaapstad (NZ) ) | |||||||
| 8 | 7.0 | 3. Raspberries | Peter Snowden | C Reith (6) |
$21
|
56.0 |
|
| 4m Lonhro x La Melba (Grand Lodge (USA) ) | |||||||
| 9 | 8.6 | 1. Fast Clip | Ms G Waterhouse | N Rawiller (2) |
$2.38
|
59.0 |
|
| 4g Snippetson x Hint Of Glory (Honour And Glory (USA) ) | |||||||
| 10 | 15.3 | 4. Mr Unforgettable | Kevin Moses | Nathan Berry (8) |
$17
|
55.0 |
|
| 7g Rubiton x La Marama (Luskin Star ) | |||||||
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