The first weekend in October not only marks the official start to the spring, but also sees the popular fantasy horse racing game Star Stable kick off.
I am hooked on the game, as I am with the Australian Rules fantasy games such as Super Coach.
But the Star Stable game is much tougher – you only get two trades a week (which you can’t bank up), and the salary cap is much tighter.
It really comes down to who the best tipster is; yet there are a number of strategies that can be used to help make the most of your $1 million fantasy stable.
With just 10 horses in the stable, it’s important to make sure you have a good mix of horses running this week, and horses set to run the week following. Unlike Supercoach, where every player scores every week, in Star Stable you will have horses that don’t run. That’s the nature of the sport.
The best Star Stable players know which horses are running what weeks, and like a good chess player, know weeks in advance who they’ll trade out for who.
If you’re up for a challenge join The Roar‘s Star Stable competition, using the code 138921.
Starting stable
There is a particular combination of horses that I see as the ideal line-up for week one to set you up for the remainder of the competition.
While we’d all like to put four Turnbull Stakes runners, and six Epsom and Metropolitan runners in the stable, there’s no way our salary will allow it.
So here’s how you set up for a big spring.
Hallowed Crown
He looks a moral for the Group 2 Roman Consul, so I have to put him in. Even at $100k, he is perfect trade bait. Should he win, he’ll rise to $150k and be a good price to either downgrade or upgrade.
Caulfield Guineas
Plan now for next week’s big race, worth $1 million. It’s worth more money than any race this weekend, so let’s make sure we have that covered. I suggest picking two runners, and locking them in. I know barrier draws help, and there is the odd scratching, but to win you have to take risks.
I’m going to select Rich Enuff and Almalad. They’re two horses high up in the Caulfield Guineas market, and it’s unlikely one will pop up this weekend and stir the pot – Looks Like The Cat ran second to Rich Enuff but is more expensive.
The best thing is, three-year-olds are usually the cheapest horses in Star Stable because they’re unseen, although $150k for Almalad is pricey.
Thousand Guineas
Put in one Thousand Guineas runner. Again, they’re super cheap. I was impressed with Afleet Esprit and Go Indy Go. You wouldn’t be wrong to forgive Bring Me The Maid either. But pick one.
Afleet Esprit is $75k cheaper than Go Indy Go, so I’ll stick with her. Let’s hope she gets the better barrier!
Flight Stakes
It’s a small field for a Group 1, ideal for Star Stable. I see it as a two horse race between Winx and First Seal. The pair ran a quinella last start, and Earthquake (who ran third) isn’t running in this race. With the winner to go up $75k in price, and second or third to go up $50k, it’s a no-brainer to pick both. Winx might even go onto the Thousand Guineas next week.
Note: First Seal hasn’t been included in the horse lists yet, but she will later in the week. Should be super cheap (fingers crossed).
Turnbull/Epsom/Metro
All three are Group 1s – Winner goes up by $75k, second and third by $50k and fourth or fifth up $25k in price. This is important for sale purposes.
Do your form on the three races, and pick the two most likely to win. If you can’t split them, go with the horses that are cheapest in price. No horse can be priced more than $250k, therefore, any horse already $250k in price won’t face an increase with a top five finish.
My early thoughts are Puissance De Lune for the Turnbull ($200k, so top-three finish will have him at peak price), Boban for the Epsom (already peak price at $250k), and Spillway for the Metropolitan ($75k).
Based on price alone, I’ll go Puissance de Lune and Spillway, spending $275k between them.
Other options: Lucia Valentina, Silent Achiever, Junoob ect.
Caulfield Stakes/Toorak Handicap (onto Caulfield Cup or Cox Plate)
Start thinking now about your Cox Plate tip – are they running in the Caulfield Stakes next week? Mine is Dissident. He’s set to line up next week in the Group 1, so instead of wasting one of my two trades next week, I’ll get him in now. $175k is a little pricey, but I have to make the call.
Another option is a horse like Arabian Gold that might go Toorak into Cox Plate.
Other options: Side Glance, Sacred Falls, Fawkner, Kirramosa (CC).
One spot left
The Edward Manifold now comes into play as a Group 2 race, and a possible lead up to next week’s Thousand Guineas. When the Thousand Guineas was once a Wednesday meeting, this race held no priority. But the winner of this Saturday’s Group 2 could back up into the Thousand Guineas. Select your top tip.
If you’re getting tight on budget, the other race to think about is the VCI stakes. Should find a cheap winner there that could go on to bigger and better things later in the Spring. Polanksi won the race last year and went on to win the Norman Robinson and the Derby.
Most of these horses won’t be on list, wait until later in week. I’m waiting for Kaizen in the VCI, hopefully $25,000.
Who not to get
Giglai Stakes runners: Most will head off to the Manikato Stakes next start – Friday night at the Valley on Cox Plate Eve, which is not included in the Star Stable competition.
Unless you’re planning on a certain win and trade out, it’s not worth picking a Gilgai Stakes runner.
A Listed race runner: Besides the VCI Stakes, which is a good lead up race to the Oaks/Derby, it’s just not worth it. If in doubt, get another Caulfield/Thousand Guineas runner. You should be able to find a cheap one.
How are we looking?
List your stable on paper, so you can see who is running when, (race initials brackets):
Week 1: Puissance de Lune (TS), Spillway (MH), Winx (FS), First Seal (FS), Hallowed Crown (RC), Kaizen (VCI).
Week 2: Dissident (CS), Almalad (CG), Rich Enuff (CG), Afleet Esprit (TG).
Six runners this week, and four next week (so far) is ideal. With two trades every week, you should hopefully have roughly six runners each weekend.
Good luck, feel free to flick any questions at Facebook.com/TalkoftheTrack
Damien Ractliffe is a journalist working for News Limited. Former radio producer at RSN Racing and Sport. Lover of all sport, particularly AFL, cricket and horse racing. Twitter @DamienRactliffe, Racing page at Facebook.com/TalkoftheTrack
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