In Tuesday’s $150,000 Brierly Steeplechase, the opening day feature of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival, Stern Idol will attempt to exceed his own previous achievement in the race.
The import under Ciaron Maher’s care shoulders 75kg for the 3450m journey.
Two years ago, the nine-year-old set the metric weight record by winning with 73kg, eclipsing Some Are Bent’s 71kg from 2010, and marking the highest since Deckard’s 75.5kg (11 stone 12 ounces) success in 1939.
Stern Idol faces his toughest weight assignment to date, 1kg beyond that in last year’s Grand National Steeplechase where he ran fourth; trainer Maher acknowledges the hurdle but backs his horse strongly.
He comes off a 25-length demolition under 72kg in Terang’s Spencer Memorial Steeplechase (3850m) on April 19.
“I suppose it can stop him, he’s got 10 kilos on most on the field, but he’s big though,” he said.
“With the weight, it’ll be a test.
“He was a good win the other day, he’s come through it well and he seems to get around there pretty well.”
Stern Idol, the $2.10 Brierly Steeplechase favourite, meets Leaderboard receiving 6kg, with only Mark Walker’s The Mighty Spar (67.5kg) also over 65kg.
At 65kg sit $3.20 elect Hit The Road Jack and Instigator, who trailed Stern Idol by a long neck when second in the 2024 Brierly Steeplechase.
The Brierly Steeplechase constitutes Stern Idol’s lone start at the Warrnambool Carnival, whereas Leaderboard, The Mighty Spar, Castrofrancaru, Hit The Road Jack and Instigator might follow up Thursday in the $350,000 Grand Annual Steeplechase, which had 11 declarations Monday.
Seeking repeat glory in the 5500m event is star Duke Of Bedford.
The $300,000 Warrnambool Cup on Thursday’s program over 2350m Listed sees recent Group 2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m) winner Newlook at the forefront.
Discover racing odds at the betting sites ahead of Stern Idol’s Brierly Steeplechase bid.