STARELLE FOLLOWS PARADEE PATH

Group 2 winning mare Starelle took off on Sunday for the Gold Coast in a trip that could provide connections with a rewarding feeling of déjà vu.

It was just 12 months ago that trainer Danny O’Brien and owner Robert Anderson won two Gold Coast races, including the Magic Millions Open (1800m) with mare Paradee and the pair have the same plan for Starelle.

Already, Starelle is on the same path as Paradee as she finished third at his latest run in the Listed Lord Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield in the race where Paradee finished second to Defibrillate a year earlier.

"She was good the other day running third in the Lord Stakes and she has similar lead-up form to what Paradee had," O’Brien said.

"Her main target race is the Wave next week but we did back Paradee up last year into the Magic Millions race and there is an option Starelle will run twice as well."

The $250,000 Wave is an 1800-metre race for three and four-year-olds on the Gold Coast with the $250,000 Magic Millions Open run over the same course seven days later.

Craig Williams, who rode Paradee in both wins last year, will also ride Starelle, who is a Group 2 winner of the Kewney Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last autumn. That fillies feature remains her lone victory from 16 starts.

The O’Brien stable is also hopeful of having a shot at the $2 million on offer in the Magic Millions Classic for two-year-olds with Supido colt Stupendo, who won at Flemington on debut last month.

"Stupendo will run in the 1100-metre race (Aquis Gold Nugget) on Saturday and hopefully he’ll run well and back up the following week," O’Brien said.

"It should suit him. Obviously, it’s (Magic Millions Classic) a very competitive race.

"The favourite (Coolangatta) looks very hard to beat but I think our guy has improved since he won here and we’ll get a good guide on where he’s at on Saturday."

Stupendo is a $17 chance with Sportsbet to win the Magic Millions Classic on January 15 with Coolangatta the $1.80 favourite.

Story by Andrew Eddy for Racing.com

Pic by Racing Photos