Still A Star winning the Vamos Stakes with Brendon McCoull aboard (Image: TasRacing)
There will be no better feelgood story in racing than Still A Star winning Saturday's All-Star Mile. Not this year. Not for a long while.
Her 73-year-old trainer, Bill Ryan, has an incurable lung disease and is not supposed to travel but, desperate to see his mare on the big stage, he's defied doctor's orders and made the trip across Bass Strait.
"Health-wise, I'm not too bad, I just get very short of breath and very tired. Apart from that, you wouldn't know there's anything wrong with me," said Ryan, who is from Longford near Launceston.
This is Still A Star's maiden voyage interstate, but it's been smooth sailing to date. Quite literally.
She arrived on the boat from Tasmania on Friday morning in perfect order.
"She travelled really good for her first trip away," Ryan said.
"She got off the boat, had a look around, put her head straight in the water bucket and the feed."
Still A Star will have her work cut out in the $5 million feature. A horror barrier draw will see her jump from 15, but Ryan hasn't lost faith.
"She'll certainly have a red-hot crack at them, that's what she does," he said.
"She's never been further back than second and she's not really happy about running second either.
"She's never been beaten in a photo. She always pokes her little head out and rides them into the ground."
Still A Star will no doubt have the support of the Apple Isle as she tries to emulate fellow Tasmanian Mystic Journey (2019) in winning the race.
She'll also undoubtedly have the support of many more cheering for a feelgood story.
And, of course, those who've backed her at the $41 available on Sportsbet.