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Trainer Robert Heathcote won’t be surprised if Group 1-winning mare Startantes springs an upset in the Keith Noud Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.
Rival trainer Tony Gollan has been the 'Keith Noud king' in recent times winning four of the past five Listed features.
Gollan was chasing his fifth straight victory with Garibaldi in last year's 1200 metre sprint when the Annabel Neasham-trained Holyfield caused a boil over by winning in record-breaking time.
Gollan won the previous year's Keith Noud with Tambo's Mate (2021), which followed victories from Jonker (2020), Outback Barbie (2019) and Most Important (2018).
Robert Heathcote is using the Keith Noud as a stepping stone to the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival for Startantes.
"Unfortunately, she's not eligible for the Magic Millions but there's some nice races for her in the summer and The Buffering is one race I have on the radar," Heathcote said.
"She's a Group 1-winning mare and it was no fluke when she won the Tatt's Tiara.
"She should be at big odds and has to carry a bit of weight with 59.5kgs but I wouldn't be surprised to see her be very competitive."
Startantes has had two starts back this campaign.
She finished back in the field in both runs at Group 2 level in the Bobbie Lewis and Rose Of Kingston Stakes at Flemington in September and October.
She previously beat one runner home in a shock performance in the Weight For Age The Archer at Rockhampton in April.
"The wheels fell of her after she won the Group 1," Heathcote said.
"She got a virus, which put her out of the spring, and when we brought her back she ran a cracking race to run eighth behind Prince Of Boom in the (Listed) Ascot Handicap.
"When we sent her up to Rockhampton for The Archer we found she had an infection in a hock which required surgery to clean up."
Heathcote believes Startantes is now showing all the signs she's ready to reproduce her best form and his confidence has been boosted by jockey Ben Thompson.
"All the signs with her are positive and Ben Thompson is very confident she's on the way back," Heathcote said.
Startantes is part of Heathcote's three-pronged attack on the Keith Noud and will be joined by stable mates Zoushack and Extremist.
Extremist is coming off a first-up second over 1000 metres at the Sunshine Coast on October 27 while Zoushack resumed with a second to the Tony Gollan-trained Osamu in a 1000 metre Open Handicap at Eagle Farm on October 14.
