Sparkly Star shines as a gelding for Ryan

Newly gelded Sparkly Star has broken his maiden at Warwick Farm, winning the TAB Rewards Plate.

The decision to geld Sparkly Star has paid immediate dividends, with the three-year-old breaking his maiden at Warwick Farm first-up after the procedure.

Trainer Gerald Ryan recommended gelding Sparkly Star following three winless outings and, less than a week after his breeding potential was spiked, he has comfortably claimed the TAB Rewards Plate (1100m).

The $2 favourite cleared out in the straight under Brenton Avdulla to hit the line 1-3/4 lengths clear of Sweet Scandal ($4.80).

Kaecilius ($15) was 2-1/2 lengths back in third.

“He took a little bit to muster but once he got up underneath Kerrin (McEvoy, riding Sweet Scandal), he settled well and travelled well,” stable representative Blake Ryan said on Wednesday.

He said a Saturday assignment could be added to Sparkly Star’s program.

“He’s pretty fit. It’s more about race craft with him. We’ll take him home and see how he pulls up,” he said.

“As long as he’s picking up prize money and getting confidence, he’s going to learn a bit.”

Avdulla’s 80th metropolitan winner increased his buffer in the Sydney jockeys’ premiership to 13 over closest challenger Blake Shinn.

“I haven’t had much to do with him but every now and then on a Friday I’ll go to Gerald’s and gallop one,” he said.

“He doesn’t really tell me who they are. He told me this one was a maidener and I told him not for long.”

Avdulla trialled Sparky Sweet at Rosehill last week and took confidence from the experience as heavy ground loomed on Wednesday.

“I gave him a squeeze on the wet ground and I thought he’d handle it today,” he said.