G1 Phoenix Aim For Aloha Star

Aloha Star (2f Starspangledbanner - Zain Art, by Excellent Art), winner of last Sunday’s G2 Airlie Stud Stakes, could take on the colts next time in the G1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on August 9th according to trainer Fozzy Stack.

Aloha Star broke her maiden at Bellewstown on July 2, and while her starting price on Sunday was 33-1, Stack admitted he wasn’t surprised by her big win.

“It was great to see her go and do that, because she’s a filly we always thought a lot of,” he said.

“She won well in Bellewstown and stepped up again on Sunday, so it’s great. We’ll think about the Phoenix Stakes - she would have to be supplemented for that. Later on you’ve got the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes which we can put her in at the second entry stage. I was thinking about the [G2] Lowther at York, but she’d carry a penalty in that now, and you’ve obviously got the traveling to consider.

“We’ll see how she is, but she could run in the Phoenix and then go for the Moyglare.”

Trained by Fozzy Stack for David Keoghan and partners, Aloha Star was bred by Patrick Beirne Junior out of a half-sister to three-time listed winner Battalion.

She is the second 2YO stakes winner this month for in-form sire Starspangledbanner, while his 3YO daughter Millisle won the G3 Ballyogan Stakes yesterday evening at Naas.