Darren Weir says being able to get enough racing into Tosen Stardom was the key to the former Japanese galloper's maiden Australian win in Saturday's Group I Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.
Weir took over Tosen Stardom's training last spring but circumstances have prevented the trainer from getting more than two runs out of the stallion in his previous preparations.
Tosen Stardom tackled the Toorak Handicap at his third run this time in after solid efforts in the Lawrence and Memsie Stakes at Caulfield and delivered a Group I success for connections when he scored by a length over Sovereign Nation.
Weir said the Toorak Stakes win cemented Tosen Stardom's stud future but connections had endured a frustrating run since acquiring the seven-year-old.
"It has been frustrating because we haven't had the best of luck of with him but luckily this preparation we were able to get a few runs into him," Weir said.
"That was the key to today, having a bit of racing in his legs so he was fit enough to win the race."
Jockey Damian Lane was unable to get in closer than three-wide from barrier 16 but he said he said the way Tosen Stardom travelled left him confident of a win a long way from home.
"Darren said to me today, 'there's no point going too far back because he's cherry-ripe for today' so I bit the bullet and tried to put him in a spot," Lane said.
"He didn't actually have that much speed early but gee, I was travelling coming into the straight and he really let go with a good turn of speed."
Weir was non-committal about Tosen Stardom's next start but said the Cox Plate was an option for the son of champion Deep Impact.
"The Cantala (Stakes at Flemington) could be an option or the Cox Plate but the main thing now is he's a Group I winner and he'll have a good life after racing," Weir said.
The $101 shot Petrology ran on late for third, two lengths from the winner.
