Stern Idol switches to the bigger jumps in the Australian Steeplechase at Sandown.

Stern Idol has been a jumping force in Victoria since he burst onto the scene during the winter of 2022. 

The Irish-bred galloper raced in France and was successful over hurdles before joining the then Ciaron Maher and David Eustace team in late 2021. 

Since then, Stern Idol has won nine of his 15 starts over jumps in Victoria and has thrilled jumps fans with his catch me if you can style of racing. 

Those tactics are likely to be on display again on Sunday when Stern Idol runs in the Australian Steeplechase (3900m) at Sandown. 

Sunday's outing will be Stern Idol's first over the bigger obstacles this campaign having had two hurdle starts at Pakenham and Warrnambool, finishing second and fourth respectively. 

However, Stern Idol is no stranger to the Sandown steeplechase course, having won the past two editions of the Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) before failing to finish each time when lumping a big weight in the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat. 

Stern Idol has 73kg to carry on Sunday in what will be his first attempt at winning an Australian Steeplechase having contested the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m) on the same program last year. 

Maher's National Assistant Trainer Jack Turnbull said the decision to switch back to the bigger jumps was made in consultation with Steven Pateman who partnered Stern Idol to a Terang trial win over 2800m last week. 

"He's missed the race previously just due to programming and where he is with his handicap," Turnbull said. 

"Ciaron thought as part of his training get him back over the bigger ones rather than the little ones now as he tends to respect them more and he had a chat to Steve as well. 

"At Warrnambool (last start) he was fairly destructive early in the race." 

Pateman missed out on riding Stern Idol in his last start at Warrnambool having been injured in a fall earlier that day. 

The ride went to Fergus Gregory day with Pateman booked to return to the saddle on Sunday. 

Turnbull is expecting Stern Idol to turn around his form on Sunday despite the 73kg. 

"People underestimate him but he's a very talented horse once he gets his ground," Turnbull said. 

"Whether he goes chasing again (after this) I don't know, but the horse is very well and I'm sure he'll have a good second-half of the season."