Fifty Stars out to become the first horse to win three Blamey Stakes at Flemington

Fifty Stars’ rejigged autumn program has him back on track to outperform some of the greats of the turf in Saturday’s Blamey Stakes at Flemington.

Fifty Stars has already matched the likes of Tobin Bronze, Hyperno, Better Loosen Up, Vo Rogue and Durbridge by winning the Blamey Stakes twice. But no horse has won the race three times.

Bookies have Fifty Stars as a $7 chance to complete a hat trick of Blamey Stakes wins.

The import has headed to the Blamey Stakes after running in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes in the last two years but missed the Caulfield race after vets found mucus in his throat on race eve.

Trainers Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig sent Fifty Stars to Sydney to have his first-up run in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes in which the stallion finished more than eight lengths from top Godolphin mare Colette.

But the Lindsay Park team saw some positives in Fifty Stars’ Randwick effort despite beating only one runner home.

Jockey Craig Williams rode Fifty Stars to his win in last year’s Blamey Stakes at Flemington. Photo: AAP Image/Vince Caligiuri.Source:AAP

“I know, on paper, it looks like a bad run, but he actually ran the 10th fastest last 200(m) of the whole meeting,” Hayes said.

“He went through the line well and was the last to pull up, so there were some good signs.”

Hayes said Fifty Stars has thrived since being back in Victoria and would be much fitter for his second-up assignment.

The Blamey Stakes also serves as a test to see whether the six-year-old attempts to win another Australian Cup on Saturday week.

“He’s always needed the run first-up and he’s won the Blamey the last two years so we’re confident he’ll improve.

“If he runs well on Saturday, he’ll back up in the Australian Cup.

“He was very impressive last year and we’re hoping he can do it again.”

Hayes said the stable hadn’t planned the remainder of Fifty Stars’ preparation, preferring to wait until after the Australian Cup before deciding whether to press on to Sydney.

“It’s important that he defends his title in the Australian Cup as he is still a stallion and the Group 1 is vital for him,” Hayes said.

“I think the Australian Cup is the grand final so we’ll get through that and make plans from there.”

Originally published asFifty Stars chasing history in Blamey

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