Sacred Star gains Stradbroke start

Saturday 31 May 2014, 5:04pm

Boom kiwi sprinter Sacred Star rocketed into Stradbroke Handicap calculations by winning the Group Two QTC Cup to present in-form jockey Tim Bell with a dilemma.

Bell must choose between Sacred Star and BRC Sprint winner River Lad as his ride in the $1 million Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm next Saturday.

He would not be drawn on his preference after unsaddling Sacred Star and admitted it would be a difficult decision.

"I'll let things cool down after the hype of today and make a decision when the dust settles," Bell said.

Sacred Star's win capped a remarkable day for the 21-year-old who was successful aboard Tinto in the Group One Queensland Oaks and Sir Moments in the Group Two Queensland Guineas.

Bell will have little time to savour Saturday's success as he will be in action at the Toowoomba Cup meeting on Sunday.

"Today has been a fabulous day winning my first Group One and two Group Twos but it's still far from where I want to be as a jockey," he said.

"I still have a lot of things I want to achieve and one of my goals is to be one of the best jockeys in the country.

"I'm still a little bit away from that at the moment but hopefully this will get me a little bit closer to those ambitions."

Before Saturday's win, Sacred Star was 28th in the Stradbroke entry but his victory means he is guaranteed a start and is exempt from the ballot.

Trainer Tony Pike believes the gelding will be suited by the extra 100m next week when he will drop to 52.5kg.

"If they go hard up front he'll be suited because he's a horse who is better having the last crack at them," he said.

"The Stradbroke is the race we're here for so we'll roll the dice."

History is stacked against Sacred Star winning the Stradbroke.

Since the race's inception in 1979, no QTC Cup winner has gone on to win Brisbane's signature race the following week.

– AAP

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