Vinery stallion Star Turn was represented by his sixth individual winner this month when Athena Nyx was tagged ‘One to Watch’ by Breednet editor Tara Madgwick on Monday.
Athena Nyx was facing the starter for just the second time to score a convincing victory in the TAB Maiden (1200m) at Tamworth. Matty Palmer gave her the run of race and was credited for rating her to perfection by trainer Kris Lees.
A Vinery-bred graduate, Athena Nyx already enjoyed enormous residual value for a Prime Thoroughbreds syndicate before adding an all-important win to her catalogue page which is top-heavy with black-type.
Star Turn sired her from Night War (General Nediym) who is a perfect five-from-five at stud with prior winners by All Too Hard (3) and Press Statement. Her latest foal is a yearling filly by Exceedance.
Night War won a Karrakatta Plate (Gr.2, 1200m) in Perth and is a half-sister to Samaready (More Than Ready) who won twice at Group 1 level in the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield and Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
Samaready’s first live foal Exhilarates (Snitzel) was bred and sold by Vinery for $600,000 at the 2018 Gold Coast Magic Millions. The Godolphin filly won four Stakes races to Group 3 level in Melbourne and her maiden cover was to Street Boss (USA) last October.
Star Turn’s black-type mares Startantes and La Bella Beals also resumed with promising runs on either side of the Tasman on Saturday.
Startantes came from second-last to finish midfield in the Sheraco Stakes (Gr.2, 1200m) at Rosehill leaving trainer Rob Heathcote more than pleased watching her get within two lengths of the winner Shades Of Rose.
“It certainly wasn’t her grand final but it was a strong race and a good one to kick off this season. We knew she would get back then run on and Jason (Collett) said she worked all the way to the end.”
Startantes was burdened with a 4kg penalty following a memorable Group 1 victory over Snapdancer in the Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June and runner-up franked that form-line with a Group 1 win of her own in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last month.
Heathcote, who also bred and part-owns Startantes, will start stepping her up in distance towards the $10million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on October 29.
Kiwi trainer Stephen Marsh was planning to send La Bella Beals to Brisbane but opted to stay at home instead of targeting the 3yo filly features at the winter carnival. Unraced at two, she had won at Tauranga and Awapuni before ending her first prep with a Group 3 placing in the Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Matamata.
La Bella Beals was back in action at Hastings on Saturday and challenged for the lead with a wall of horses at the furlong before peaking on her run to finish fourth in the Remember Jooky Hcp (1200m).
“She was still maturing last season so we decided against a trip away,” Marsh said on Monday. “She will take massive improvement from that fresh outing. Opie (Bosson) presented her at the right time but she lacked race fitness and knocked up.”
Marsh will take her back for Hastings for a similar race at the Hawke’s Bay Guineas meeting on October 1. For a mare with her ability, La Bella Beals will have numerous black-type goals leading into the New Zealand summer carnivals.
Vinery Stud stands Star Turn for a $27,500 fee (inc GST). For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
