Paint The Stars (AUS)

from memory about 650,000, top dollar in those days.  Think Dalgety was the agent, but twas a long time ago

He was trained by George Hanlon and from memory only had the one start.

Didn't Johnny Meagher start out at Epsom

Remember his first start. Highest priced yearling of all time..by a fair bit ( ..at the time)... And couldn't get out of own way. ambulance beat it home!....when he went to stud, it was free service fees.....not one of Robert's best investments..

Cranbourne trainer Shawn Mathrick knew he'd get a call or two from the media once the name Paint The Stars appeared in the nominations for Saturday's Caulfield meeting.


Shawn Mathrick's throwaway line led to one of his horses carrying the name Paint The Stars. Photo: Darryl Sherer
The name Paint The Stars became infamous in the early 1980s after the late tycoon Robert Holmes a Court paid a then Australian record of $825,000 in 1981 for a yearling colt by Luskin Star that raced under the moniker with little success.

Not even the genius of George Hanlon could help Paint The Stars on the racetrack where he placed twice in six starts, earning a paltry $800 for his efforts before he was retired to stud with limited success.

Mathrick said a throwaway suggestion on the form to register his horse's name was accepted by Racing Australia registrars, meaning the two-year-old by Helmet will also race under the name Paint The Stars.

"I thought it would get a response," Mathrick joked.

"I chucked it in as an afterthought because I put two other names in and anyway, as we always do, when you go to add the third name, you can't think of one.

"You go to the part of your brain that says, 'what horse do you remember?' and I just chucked the name in and got it."

Inflation means the two-year-old Paint The Stars would not have to be a superstar to outdo the earnings of his predecessor but Mathrick said his version has shown him enough ability to be worth thought as a Victoria Derby hopeful in the spring.

"He's had a couple of jumpouts and won them both but he's a nice horse even though he is going to want a lot of ground," Mathrick said.

"He has shown plenty. He'd never even been through the gates and he jumped out well here (Cranbourne) the other day.

"He had his second little jumpout yesterday. He was still slow away and mustered speed but still won the trial so it looks like he's a nice horse."

Mathrick has nominated Paint The Stars for Saturday's Super VOBIS 2YO Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield but he said he was considering taking the youngster to Sale for his debut outing on Sunday.

"I'm not sure whether he goes to town. I'll just feel out the field and decide," Mathrick said.

"Sunday is probably a better track for him because he's going to be looking for 2000m later, which is what you want in a Derby horse."

Still remember the original going through the Easter Sales.  Lovely horse but obviously no will to win.

No it's still out there.

I should say they need some stakes wins but there are still pockets of mares trying.

Thanks Furious.