Advice from champion aids successful comeback

A PIECE of advice from a champion horseman more than 20 years ago has paved way for a successful comeback.

Sidelined following his win in Ballarat in January 2018, Stars Of Courage was given almost two years to recover from tendon issues in his offside front leg.

Showing signs of soreness again after just four starts, the Group Two winner was given another stint in a paddock.

Returning to the track in October, Stars Of Courage produced a pair of unplaced efforts before his true form came to the fore.

Triumphant at Globe Derby just moments ago, the six-year-old has won his last four starts.

“He’s come back from a long layoff and is doing really well,” regular trainer and part-owner David Kemp said.

“On the night he won at Ballarat he got squeezed at the start which caused a bump on his tendon which flared up a few days later.

“He had nearly two years off, came back for a few runs and then the tendon flared up again, so he had another break.

“I remember the advice from Robert Cameron that the best remedy for tendons is the back paddock, so that’s what I did with him.”

Drawn the inside of the back row, Stars Of Courage was angled away from the pegs soon after the start to be settled midfield in the running line as Takemepitchamister led from the pole.

Taken three-wide at the bell, the gelding sustained a strong sprint to score by a head from Simon, which was four-deep without cover from the bell.

Lady Lagertha fought on valiantly to be a half-neck away third after racing in the ‘death seat’.

Driven by Tiana McMahon for caretaker trainer Ray Holberton, Stars Of Courage rated 1:58.5 over 1800 metres to stretch his record to 14 wins and six placings from 31 starts.

“After he won for me on Monday I left him with Ray for tonight,” Kemp said. “He’ll come back home on Tuesday and have a little break before I look at sending him to Victoria.”