The Brisbane Cup may be an afterthought for in-form Persian Star, but so were the mare's past two starts which both ended in victories.Trainer Robert Smerdon labelled Persian Star an "absolute revelation" after the five-year-old raced to victory in the Andrew Ramsden over 3200m at Flemington last month, a week after winning at the same track over 2800m.Smerdon never considered Saturday's time-honoured Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m) but after talking with jockey Glen Boss, and taking into conside

The Brisbane Cup may be an afterthought for in-form Persian Star, but so were the mare's past two starts which both ended in victories.

Trainer Robert Smerdon labelled Persian Star an "absolute revelation" after the five-year-old raced to victory in the Andrew Ramsden over 3200m at Flemington last month, a week after winning at the same track over 2800m.

Smerdon never considered Saturday's time-honoured Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m) but after talking with jockey Glen Boss, and taking into consideration the theory of continuing to race mares in form, it was decided to send her north for one more throw at the stumps this campaign.

Persian Star has been installed favourite for the Brisbane Cup at $5.50 in a wide-open TAB Sportsbet market ahead of Indikator at $7, with Tinseltown, Newport and Tabulate all at $7.50.

"It wasn't the plan to go to the Brisbane Cup, but nor were her previous starts," Smerdon said.

"We were planning on going to the Warrnambool Cup (on May 6) but it was too wet and she's not happy in really wet ground.

"We had her nominated in the 2800-metre race at Flemington on the Saturday (May 8) and thought we could run her in that to give her an opportunity at the track and distance with a long-range view of coming back to run in the Bagot Handicap (2800m) on New Year's Day next year."

Persian Star, with Boss aboard, won the 2800m race by a length over Fordee with six lengths to Golden Charmer in third.

"When she won that race impressively Glen Boss said `you've got to line up again next week in the Andrew Ramsden now', and she was even more impressive winning that race," Smerdon said.

"When you get mares in rare form you've got to take advantage of it, so we thought we should push on and head to Brisbane for the Cup."

Smerdon has had four weeks since the Ramsden to get some freshness back in Persian Star's legs for the drop in distance at Eagle Farm.

He said the daughter of Shot Of Thunder had settled in really well since arriving in Queensland last Friday.

The tough mare was sent around in a 1550m barrier trial at Cranbourne on May 31 prior to heading to Brisbane, winning the heat by 2-1/4-lengths in a move designed to keep her ticking over nicely ahead of the Brisbane Cup.

"Nothing seems to faze her, she's been up there a week and has settled in well," Smerdon said.

"It's a step up for sure again so it will be interesting to see how she goes."