Star Of Monsoon ready to shine

The horse Gerald Ryan calls the country’s best maiden has had to wait an extra day to try to change that.

With Kembla Grange washed out on Tuesday, Star Of Monsoon will run at Warwick Farm on Wednesday in the TAB Plate (1200m).

The colt is by champion racehorse turned sire Lonhro out of Monsoon Wedding, a sister to another champion, Redoute’s Choice.

Star Of Monsoon has had eight starts and been placed seven times.

He is the $4.20 second favourite for Wednesday’s race behind the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Diamonds Are at $2.20.

“He is Australia’s best maiden,” Ryan said.

“He has to run this week to fit into his program so hopefully the races aren’t called off again.

“He has had one start on a heavy track. That was his first start in the Canonbury when he ran fourth.”

Ryan hopes if the colt can break his maiden at Warwick Farm he can then progress to stakes company again.

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He ran second to Spright in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes in October.

“If he does well we’d like to get him to races like the Darby Munro and the Gosford Guineas,” Ryan said.

Star Of Monsoon had a day out last Wednesday when he galloped between races at Rosehill in company with two-year-old Chauffeur.

One of the leading Golden Slipper hopes, Chauffeur finished second to Houtzen in the Magic Millions Classic in January.

He has been entered for the Todman Stakes on Saturday and the Black Opal the following day.

“Menari has also been entered for both races in case something happens and the races are called off,” Ryan said.

Menari missed Saturday’s Skyline Stakes after being treated for a cut lip but showed his fitness with a barrier trial win on Monday.

She Will Reign remains the Slipper favourite at $2,80 with Menari and Houtzen next at $8.

Chauffeur is on the fourth line at $15.

The Ryan stable will also be represented by Pedway and Rosetta’s Whey at the Warwick Farm meeting.