Breeding & Racing Magazine

French Stayer Orion Star Late Melb Cup Entry

French 6YO gelded stayer Orion Star (Sternkonig-Okocha, by Platini) was a significant entry when late nominations closed yesterday for this year's Gr1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4. Orion Star (trained by Henri-Alex Pantall) has 3 wins from 12 starts. This season he finished 3rd in France's Listed Grand prix Du Conseil Des Alpes Maritimes (2500m) at Cagnes-sur-Mer in February, then runner-up in both April's Gr3 Prix De Barbeville (3100m) at Longchamp & May's Gr2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (3100m) at Longchamp. As a 3YO back in 2005, Orion Star established himself among the top young stayers in France with victory in the Listed Prix De Suresnes (2100m) at Saint Cloud & placings in the Gr1 Grand Prix De Paris (2400m) at Longchamp, Gr2 Prix Hocquart (2200m) at Longchamp & Gr3 Prix Du Lys (2400m) at Longchamp.