Starspangled Colt Returns to Form

Returning to his best form with a stylish victory at Caulfield on Saturday was talented colt Mr Individual (3c Starspangledbanner x She’s Alluring, by Lure). An eye-catching chestnut, reminiscent of his famous sire, Mr Individual has shown glimpses of real brilliance in his career to date and was a last start fourth in the Group III Sunshine Coast Guineas over 1600 metres behind Tivaci. Dropping back to 1400 metres, the Leon and Troy Corstens trained colt powered clear to win the open three year old event by more than a length as favourite. "He’s run well in Group races in Brisbane his last two starts and I think he found this a bit easier,” Leon Corstens said. "He still did a good job to win and it was good to see him strong through the line.” Corstens praised apprentice Ben Thompson for his ride. "He put him in the perfect spot really. He’s a horse that can get fierce in the run and over-race if the pace is slow but he was in the perfect spot,” Corstens said. "That will do his confidence good. We’ll sit down and have a look, he’s fit and well and there might be a race for him early in the spring.” A $240,000 Magic Millions purchase from the draft of Three Bridges Thoroughbreds, Mr Individual was the most expensive colt from the first Australian crop of foals for Starspangledbanner. He was bought by Spicer Thoroughbreds, who also bought and syndicated his sire. A brilliant colt who won the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas and Oakleigh Plate in the Spicer Thoroughbred colours with Leon Corstens training, Starspangledbanner was subsequently sold to Coolmore and campaigned successfully in Europe winning the Group I Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and the July Cup at Newmarket. Fertility issues hampered his earlier years at stud, but maturity and patient management has brought a sharp improvement for Starspangledbanner, who returns to the main Coolmore Australia roster this spring at a fee of $24,750. Mr Individual has won four of 10 starts earning over $184,000 in prizemoney. A half-brother to Group I placed Fast and Sexy, Mr Individual is the fifth winner and final foal of She’s Alluring, who comes from the family of champion sire Invincible Spirit and last season’s dual Group I winning juvenile Pride of Dubai.