Still chasing Vicbred win three decades later
STRANGELY she hasn't earned the title of the best standardbred the Senior family has been associated with, but that could change at Entertainment Park Melton tomorrow night.
One of Victoria's most exciting fillies, Star To Fall is aiming for a clean sweep of the rich Australian Pacing Gold Vicbred Super Series following impressive heat and semi-final wins.
Overall, Star To Fall boasts four wins from five starts for trainer Craig Turnbull and owners John and Geoff Senior.
Despite being among the favourites ahead of the Group Two Final, the daughter of Always B Miki still lives in the shadow of another Senior-owned pacer, her older brother Binalong Week!
An injury-plagued gelding, Binalong Week boasts seven wins from nine starts.
"Binalong Week is the best horse I have ever put a bridle on, but I may have to change that opinion on the weekend," John said. "This filly has really surprised us and is giving us one hell of a ride.
"I followed my father Geoff into the sport, and we've had some handy types, but never a Sires' winner.
"Dad won a few handy races in his day, he even drove his nice free-for-all trotter Hecs Hope to beat the champion Maori's Idol.
"Everything Star To Fall has done so far suggests she is that Sires' winner in waiting. Whether it's this weekend or on another occasion, I reckon she's got it in her.
"We're hoping it is this weekend, as the Vicbred, or Sires' as I'm still calling it, is a race I'd love to win, especially after Edacity went so close for my brothers Robert and Wayne in 1994.
"Edacity won a heat and was runner-up in the semi, but had no luck in the Final, so as a family, we've been waiting more than 30 years for another crack at it."
To be driven by Ellen Tormey, Star To Fall has drawn awkwardly in barrier nine, with Senior admitting his confidence have been dented.
Star To Fall also began from the second row during the qualifying rounds.
"It's not the draw I would have liked," John said. "It makes life a lot harder, but in saying that, she draw the back in her heat and semi and finished over the top of them.
"Ellen has driven her brilliantly, so we'll be hoping for another gem from her."
Also successful in her heat and semi to maintain her undefeated record from six starts, Arrhythmia remains the one to beat from barrier eight.
"Emma Stewart's runners will be hard to beat as always," John said. "They've drawn one, three and eight, so the draw is against us.
"What my filly does have in her favour is her sprint. I pre-trained her and felt she was very nice from the start, but she has developed a lot of speed since.
"Her dam has left some nice horses, but she is the fastest of them.
"If she can get that clear run and use her sprint we may finally be holding up the Sires' trophy after 30 years!"
