Star Of Monsoon breaks maiden at last

The drought has finally broken for Star Of Monsoon who is no longer Australia’s best maiden.

At his 17th attempt, and in his first start as a gelding, the four-year-old surged to a convincing win in the Tab.com.au Metro & Prov Maiden Plate (1100m) at Gosford on Thursday.

His three-quarter length victory eased the frustrations of absent trainer Gerald Ryan and his owner Muzaffar Yaseen who will watch a replay of the race in Sri Lanka.

“Dad’s working. I just don’t think he wanted to be here in case in went wrong again,” Ryan’s foreman son Blake said.

After 11 placings from his previous 16 starts, Gerald Ryan might have had misgivings pre-race, but gelding Star Of Monsoon after his previous preparation undeniably paid dividends.

Blake Ryan admitted Yaseen took some convincing to geld Star Of Monsoon, who had won almost $110,000 prize money before his win.

“They’re a bit hard to convince sometimes but those two things between his legs got in his way a fair bit,” he said.

Yaseen has a long association with Gerald Ryan, who trained Shantha’s Choice, the mother of super sire Redoute’s Choice.

Blake Ryan was restrained as Tye Angland saluted on the $2.80 second elect from Excelling ($7).

“I wasn’t worried, not with the run he had,” he said.

“He’s always shown a lot of ability. He’s run places in black-type races. In his first start he ran fourth in the lead-up to the Golden Slipper.

“It’s good to see him finally do it.”

Ryan also praised Angland for succeeding where eight previous jockeys had failed.

“Plenty of jocks have had a crack on him,” he said.

“Tye should get a couple of points in the world’s best jockey series for that. He rode him a treat.”