Sallis’ star buy hits the ground running

By Josh Spasaro

Ron Sallis was so happy with his purchase of Llanfair Llewellan from Kelvin Winnell in New South Wales, that he was quick to express his interest in the next available horse.

That was how he acquired Fifty Three Stars for his Wanora operation and the six-year-old has had instant success.

The Huntsville and Platinum Black gelding has won four of his five starts for Sallis.

Fifty Three Stars will start in the opening event over 1660 metres for pacers four years and older at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Adam Sanderson will drive him from gate two in the $20,770 race, which starts the nine-race program.

Sallis said the process behind adding the in-form gelding to his stable was a simple one.

“Kel Winnell came up and I bought a horse called Llanfair Llewellan,” he said.

“He’s won 10 races for me. He normally does an annual trip and I just said to him, ‘Whenever you’ve got another one, can you give me the first option?’ 

"That was how it came about.

“Fifty Three Stars is easy to deal with and he has a great temperament. By Huntsville, they all seem to be fairly good horses.

“That was one of the reasons I bought him as well, because he was by Huntsville.

“He’s a good size and he’s pretty strong.”

Driven by Pete McMullen last start, Sallis was impressed with the way Fifty Three Stars shifted to the inside before edging out Flying Colours, also over 1660 metres at Albion Park on August 29.

“He wasn’t really tractable around the last corner, Pete said, and he forced the issue a bit,” the veteran trainer said.

“But, he tries very hard. He’s got good form and he’s been a surprise. He’s going really well.”

Sallis played down the suggestion that he has helped revive his gelding’s career as he now boasts 11 wins from 74 career starts.

“I just think he’s settled in really well and he’s fairly well bred, so I think he suits the system, that’s all it is,” he said.

“There’s no secret to him.”

Despite Fifty Three Stars’ impressive recent form, Sallis said he wasn’t looking at any Group feature races for him just yet.

“I don’t get carried away and I’ll let him do what he can. He’s actually getting up with the big boys now, so I’ll just see how he goes,” he said.

“Those feature races, you’ve got to be real good to go in those.

“So, I’ll see if he’s good enough. But, he’s been a great buy for me.”

Of Sallis’ other runners on the nine-race card at Albion Park on Saturday night, he likes the chances of Seaside Glory in the seventh race for mares four years and older.

“She’s been consistent and she’s back to a mares’ grade,” he said.

“She always puts up a good run, but I expect her to be all right, too.”

Sallis said he was happy with where he was currently placed.

“What do they call it? Living the dream,” he said.

“It’s really good. I’m getting older and just enjoying it with a dozen horses or so.

“I’ll just keep plugging along and my aim is to get winners - it doesn’t matter where it is.”