Star shines

NEXT month’s Victoria Cup has been set as the first major target for promising pacer Galactic Star.

Trainer Craig Cross revealed the trip south of the Murray River is on the cards following Galactic Star’s success at Tabcorp Park Menangle last night.

In his first run since last May, the five-year-old made his east coast debut having been sent across the Nullarbor by leading couple Skye and Greg Bond.

Galactic Star won 13 of his 19 starts for the pair, with three seconds also to his credit.

“He came across with terrific form and has been able to continue that here, which is great,” Cross said. “I had him nominated a couple of weeks ago, but ended up scratching him as I wasn’t quite happy with where he was at.

“He hadn’t settled in and adjusted to the way we work them as much as I’d like, so I scratched him to give him more time to find his way.

“He was a lot better this week and was ready to run a good race.

“If he can keep his form going, then the Victoria Cup is in the radar for him.”

With Luke McCarthy holding the reins, Galactic Star worked to the lead from the outside of the front row before running his rivals ragged, scoring with ease from Mach Beauty and Aztec Bromac in 1:55.8 over 2300 metres.

“After finding the front he was always going to be hard to run down,” Cross said. “In the end he did it pretty easily and won with plenty up his sleeve.”