The Monstar Set To Savage Starlight

In the long term, trainer Brett Cavanough wants to get The Monstar to 1400 metres at the Brisbane winter carnival.

But the gelding's recent short-course form has the Albury-based Cavanough excited about his prospects in Saturday's Listed Starlight Stakes at Rosehill.

The Monstar has earned his chance at the 1100m-sprint with three runs over the Melbourne spring carnival producing a close second to Sabatini at Caulfield followed by his fourth in the Group Two Schillaci Stakes (1100m), also at Caulfield.

He then ran third on Melbourne Cup day in a Listed sprint won by Sea Lord on the straight-1200m track at Flemington.

"He has climbed to a whole new level for me this preparation," Cavanough said.

"There wasn't a superstar among the horses he raced against except for Lankan Rupee in the Schillaci and he was injured.

"He performed so well and I think he is even better right-handed.

"I really want to see him over 1400 metres on a wet track and we have the Queensland winter as a long-term goal but he's ready to go to the races again right now so we will come to Sydney and then give him a break over Christmas."

Prolific country jockey Richard Bensley will make a rare appearance in the city to ride The Monstar and stablemate Just A Bullet.

"Richard knows my horses and I don't have to tell him what to do so I'm happy he will come to Rosehill," Cavanough said.

The Monstar was one of 16 entries taken on Monday for the Starlight Stakes with That's A Good Idea the top-rated at 105 for the quality sprint.

That's A Good Idea missed his last scheduled start in Brisbane because of a wet track but has been kept up to the mark with a barrier trial.

He is also entered for the Group Three George Moore Stakes at Doomben.

Last-start Rosehill winner Howmuchdoyouloveme is the next highest rated horse i the Starlight on 97.

The Listed Festival Stakes (1500m) attracted 22 entries headed by Group One winner Tinto.

Trained by Rex Lipp at Toowoomba, the 2014 Queensland Oaks winner is headed to the Group Two Villiers Stakes like many of her opponents on Saturday.