Breeders' Cup hero Starlust set for weekend return as team nominates his big-race target this season

Last year's Breeders' Cup winner Starlust is set to prepare for Royal Ascot in Saturday's Betfred Temple Stakes at Haydock as he embarks on his final season before going to stud in Australia.

Winner of the Turf Sprint at Del Mar for trainer Ralph Beckett and owners Jim and Fitri Hay, Starlust has next month's King Charles III Stakes, for which he is priced at 10-1, as his primary target.

The four-year-old colt came from last to first off a furious pace under Rossa Ryan for his big Stateside success over five furlongs and will be campaigned over the minimum trip in the short term, starting in the Temple.

"He's in good shape and it's a stepping stone to Ascot," said the Hays' racing manager Alex Cole. "He's been pretty easy to deal with. He's sound and generally doesn't miss a day, touch wood. He's a dude and you couldn't fault him.

"You get that fast pace that he wants over five furlongs rather than six, and he needs things to fall his way a little bit."

Starlust: will make his seasonal debut in the Temple Stakes at HaydockCredit: John Grossick

Starlust went on to Hong Kong for the Group 1 sprint over six furlongs at the international meeting in December, but beat only one horse home after fading out of contention.

He will carry a Group 1 penalty in the Temple against the likes of recent winners Mgheera and Rumstar after 14 contenders stood their ground on Monday. 

Ante-post favourite Big Mojo was a notable omission, but he does appear among the 11 three-year-olds entered for the Betfred Sandy Lane Stakes on the same card.

William Buick has been booked to ride last month's Commonwealth Cup Trial winner for the first time, with Tom Marquand in Hong Kong to ride Dubai Honour on Sunday. 

It was announced this month that Starlust will join Australia's stallion ranks by standing at Nick Taylor's up-and-coming Riverstone Lodge in New South Wales.

Starlust, a son of Zoustar, could potentially continue his racing career beyond Ascot before taking up stallion duties.

"We'll take each race as it comes," added Cole. "The guys who are taking him to stand at stud are very open-minded as well.

"Zoustar is all the rage down there and they've got a stallion called I Am Invincible [champion sire, by Invincible Spirit] and Starlust is out of an Invincible Spirit mare. He ticks two boxes and being a Breeders' Cup winner helps as well."

Betfred Temple Stakes (3.30 Haydock, Saturday)
Sponsors: 7-2 Night Raider, 4 Rumstar, 6 Mgheera, 7 Jasour, 8 Washington Heights, American Affair, Starlust, 10 She's Quality, 12 Frost At Dawn, 16 bar

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