Caulfield's mounting yard has erupted with more than 50 owners cheering home Starspangledbanner to a remarkable win in the Group One Oakleigh Plate.The Leon Corstens-trained three-year-old was out on his feet as he hit the line in a blanket finish a short head in front of dead-heaters Here De Angels and Arinos.Jockey Danny Nikolic said it was courageous win and declared the chestnut would be even better when he has his last Australian start in the Group one Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemingt
Caulfield's mounting yard has erupted with more than 50 owners cheering home Starspangledbanner to a remarkable win in the Group One Oakleigh Plate.
The Leon Corstens-trained three-year-old was out on his feet as he hit the line in a blanket finish a short head in front of dead-heaters Here De Angels and Arinos.
Jockey Danny Nikolic said it was courageous win and declared the chestnut would be even better when he has his last Australian start in the Group one Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington in two weeks.
"I thought he had won but I didn't want to be get overly confident because they kept charging at him and he started to stagger a little bit," Nikolic said.
"It was a great effort because there is definitely improvement in the horse."
Starspangledbanner's owners are enjoying the ride of their life on the back of the colt who will head to England to be trained by Aidan O'Brien after he was recently sold to Coolmore for $10 million.
The current owners all get to keep the prizemoney from the Oakleigh Plate win as well any earnings from the Newmarket before the horse is transferred officially to Coolmore.
Starspangledbanner has now won two Group One races after landing the Caulfield Guineas last spring and emulated Weekend Hussler's feat of winning the Guineas- Oakleigh Plate double in 2007-08.
Weekend Hussler, who also won the 2008 Newmarket, was on the comeback trail in Saturday's Oakleigh Plate and made some ground from second last, finishing in 11th place.
Brad Rawiller said his last 200 metres was his best and while he seemed to pull up all right, the verdict wouldn't be known until Sunday morning.
Corstens' son Troy Corstens said training Starspangledbanner amid the developments of the last month was like a dream.
"This is fantastic, super," Corstens said.
"He did a fantastic job when he was fourth in the Lightning and coming here today with the things that have gone on and the dream that it has been has been great.
"It is great to do this for Coolmore and do this for our owners.
"I just have to catch my breath."
Corstens said there was every reason to think that Starspangledbanner could close out his racing career on a high in the Newmarket.
"I still think there is a little bit of improvement with fitness," Corstens said.
"He has just done so well this preparation and I will think we will see a better horse in the Newmarket again."
Coolmore's Michael Kirwan was thrilled for everyone connected with Starspangledbanner and noted that Coolmore also stands another Oakleigh Plate winner, Fastnet Rock.
"It is a very excitable group of owners but I'm only delighted for them," Kirwan said.
Here De Angels' rider Michael Rodd was surprised when Starspangledbanner was declared the winner.
He said he didn't see Starspangledbanner, who was third most of the way, on his outside and thought the finish was between Here De Angels and Arinos.