Chris Waller claimed a seventh Gr.1 George Main Stakes (1600m) crown at Randwick last Saturday, scoring the trifecta in the race with Kolding, Star of the Seas and Imaging.
Although there is no denying the quality of Kolding, it could be argued that Star Of The Seas probably could have won after getting on heels halfway down the straight and giving up a couple of lengths before launching late to just miss.
“Star Of The Seas has been beaten by a good horse in Kolding,’’ Waller said. “Imaging has gone great again, Star Of The Seas is the form handicapper and Imaging couldn’t quite knock him off.
Star Of The Seas will press on to the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) in two weeks, a race Waller has won four times.
Sam Clipperton, rider of Star Of The Seas has had 10 Group One second placings since his last major on English in the 2016 All Aged Stakes, as well as a string of minor placings in feature races this spring including successive Group One second placings on Star Of The Seas in the Winx Stakes and George Main Stakes.
“What can I say about him. He’s a star. Just a bit stiff today,” Clipperton said.
Bred by Trelawney Thoroughbreds, Star of the Seas was sold off the back of a trial win in New Zealand when prepared by Clayton Chipperfield.
He is a son of Stella Livia, who is also the dam of Group One performer and now stallion at stud in Spieth.