Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds has been syndicating horses for over 30 years, achieving notable success in Group One races.

However, a Sydney classic has eluded them—until now.

That could change at Randwick on Saturday when Star Thoroughbred’s iconic purple with white stars are worn by Aeliana, the favourite for the ATC Australian Derby (2400m).

“We have won a Slipper of course, a Mackinnon, a Flight Stakes, and had an Epsom quinella,” Martin recalled of her Group 1 wins. “I have longed to win a Derby and didn’t think it would really be possible because we tend not to buy stamina-type horses.”

The story of how Aeliana came into the fold is unique. Chris Waller, who exclusively prepares her team, noticed a relative of Star’s former mare Invincibella at the Karaka Sales and immediately contacted Martin.

“Chris phoned me a couple of years ago and said, ‘there is a relative here of Invincibella’s, would you like to buy her?’” Martin recalled. “I said, ‘I’ll think about it, I’ve thought about it, yes please’.”

Martin trusted Waller’s judgement and the recommendation from bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster, even though she hadn’t seen Aeliana. The filly was a “well put together yearling,” though her light frame meant she would need time.

During a visit to a spelling farm, Martin asked for Aeliana to be paraded for her progress. By chance, three women accompanying her ended up taking shares in the filly, with two of them drawn to her markings, which coincidentally matched their husbands’ initials.

“Unknowingly, while I paraded the horse to have a look at her, the three ladies saw her and she finished up being fully subscribed on that day, almost by default,” Martin said.

So far, Aeliana has raced nine times for three wins and two Group 1 placings, including a close second in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).

If she claims the Derby, Martin says it would be a dream come true.

“I have had my business for 32 years and in that time Star has had horses like Driefontein, Danglissa, Foxplay, Invincibella, Theseo, Sebring, D’Argento who won the Rosehill Guineas and of course most recently, Espiona,” Martin said. “I sometimes drive home and think, where will the next really talented horse come from? And the answer is, you don’t know until you try them and the most unlikely horses sometimes do the job.”

“It would be so magical to win a Derby. It would be extraordinary and I’m just so excited to be there with a major chance.”