CHEVALIER’S STAR GETS OFF THE GROUND

MARC Chevalier is standing his ground!

The Hawkesbury trainer’s second winner in six days has him in a buoyant mood to test lightly-raced filly Stand My Ground in Group 1 company at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday week.

Chevalier followed his victory with Stand My Ground at Newcastle last Thursday by scoring with The Iron Star in the 4YO & Up Maiden Plate (1500m) at his home track today, with Everyone’s A Star’s excellent second at Rosehill last Saturday in between.

With the stable going well, he is looking forward to starting Stand My Ground in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) on Saturday week against fellow three-year-old fillies as a guide to a possible ATC Oaks mission.

Whilst the North Pacific filly’s breakthrough success in a Super Maiden Plate (1600m) at Newcastle at only her second start, it’s different gravy altogether lining up in the Vinery at set weights.

“It’s a big step for sure, but whilst Stand My Ground is a three-year-old, it’s the time to try her in this company,” Chevalier said this afternoon.

“I’m sure she will stay and run the 2400m of the Oaks, but her Vinery performance will show us where we are at with her.

“If she doesn’t run well enough in the Vinery (Tyler Schiller has been booked) to go on to the Oaks at Royal Randwick next month, there are still some nice fillies’ races at the Brisbane winter carnival.”

Whilst Penrith general practitioner Ulysess Crosson, a staunch supporter of Chevalier’s stable, had to miss coming to Newcastle last Thursday to watch Stand My Ground win because of a headache, he was in as fine form as The Iron Star at Hawkesbury today.

Dr Crosson bred The Iron Star, who is the first foal of his wonderfully resilient mare The Iron Maiden, who was as tough as her name suggests by racing 126 times for 12 wins and 29 placings.

“The good doctor made sure he had everything in order at his clinic, and finished work early to watch his horse win,” Chevalier said.

“He was thrilled of course, as he also owns Stand My Ground and Everyone’s A Star.

“The Iron Star is a four-year-old, and has been a slow maturer, and he’s still a fair way from being the finished product.

“But he definitely has a bit more to offer, and I feel will get up to 2000m, though perhaps not this preparation.”

A son of Stratum Star, The Iron Star has not finished further back than fifth even though it has taken him 10 starts to shed his maiden status.

Chevalier admitted he was “sweating” when The Iron Star ($3.20 co-favorite) settled well back in the field, and didn’t think he could win at the 500m.

“He is still a bit green and immature, but showed a nice turn of foot in the straight,” he said.

With Schiller aboard, The Iron Star overhauled the other co-favorite Derry City Felix – and the pair had the finish to themselves with third placegetter So Superior ($17) two and a half lengths astern.

As for Everyone’s A Star, Chevalier is rapt with how the mare is going after almost being retired last year, but is unsure of upcoming targets.

“With the autumn carnival upon us, it is not going to be easy to place her,” he said.

“Perhaps she may run at Warwick Farm on Easter Monday.”

. Newcastle apprentice Shannen Llewellyn bounced back from a nasty fall at Gosford last Saturday to won in her master Nathan Doyle’s Malabar ($3.80) at Hawkesbury.

Llewellyn’s 3kg claim proved vital, reducing Malabar’s weight to 58.5kg as he clung on tenaciously to gold out $2.80 favorite Commanding Artist and Chilly Charlie ($8.50) in a gripping finish to the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m).

Earlier Wyong trainer Kim Waugh followed up her Provincial-Midway Qualifier success with Mogul Monarch at Gosford last Saturday by taking the opener, the Provincial Maiden Handicap (1100m), with $2.90 favorite Frostisen (Jay Ford).

A daughter of Frosted and Waugh’s former good mare Hetty Heights, the three-year-old was having only his second start.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MARCH 17, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS