Testa Rossa has achieved just about every accolade at stud but a Caulfield Cup and/or Melbourne Cup would cap a wonderful career at Vinery.

His mare Amelie’s Star emerged as a leading candidate for the cups’ double following a convincing victory in The Bart Cummings-Gr.3 at Flemington on Saturday.  She has firmed into a $6 second favourite for the Caulfield Cup and a $13 second favourite for the Melbourne Cup.

“She’s had a beautiful preparation so far,” trainer Darren Weir admitted.  “She drew a good barrier, had a perfect run and got the result today.”

Amelie’s Star was trained by Peter Moody to victories in the Colin Stephen Quality-Gr.3 at Rosehill and Queen Of The South Stakes-Gr.2 at Morphettville last season.  It was her first win for Weir after a flashing fourth in the Naturalism Stakes-Gr.3 last month.

She is well down the order for the Caulfield Cup and, if she misses a start, will use the Moonee Valley Cup-Gr.1 as a final lead-up to the Melbourne Cup.  Weir completed that double with Prince Of Penzance in 2015.

Owner-breeder Patrick Hodgens purchased her dam Zazita (Zabeel) for $130,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Testa Rossa has sired 62 black-type winners and stands for a $16,500 (inc gst) fee at Vinery.  The only one to score over a longer distance than Amelie’s Star (2500m) at stakes level is Bagot Hcp-LR winner Rentarossa (2800m).

AMELIE’S STAR