Star Turn completed an international treble on Saturday and among them was the 40th individual winner from his first crop.
Starsongari was first to salute for trainer Chris Bieg in The Junction Hcp (1300m) at Morphettville and she was backed up by the Marc Connors-prepped filly Starstruck Barbie in the Eagles Plumbing Hcp (1600m) at Gosford.
Starstruck Barbie is the latest maiden winner by Star Turn sending his current first-crop stats to 40 winners of 70 races at a 60% strike-rate.
Champion Singapore trainer Michael Clements led-in the third Star Turn winner when Alqantur repaid his patience at Kranji. The unbeaten chestnut races for Al Rashid Stable and will be set for feature series later this season.
Clements said Alqantur was entitled to feel the pinch after matching motors with War Commander (American Pharoah) for most of the 1400m journey around Kranji’s Long Course. “It was a strong-paced race and I thought he looked vulnerable after being left in front too early. But he started to pull away and was doing his best work towards the end.”
Alqantur was the popular pick with punters following a three-length debut win last month. Bred in Victoria and raised at Rosemont Stud, he changed hands for $130,000 at the 2020 NZB Ready To Run.
“We’ve always thought highly of this horse – even before he trialled,” winning jockey Louis-Philippe Beuzelin claimed. “Michael and I had to show a lot of patience. We prepared him until he was ready and he has showed us his best at both runs.
“He was very easy bringing me into the race today. He was looking at War Commander all the time even though he had winkers on. He doesn’t wear them during trackwork as we felt he would perform better with them on in a race.”
Alqantur will be set for the Singapore 3YO Sprint (Gr.3, 1200m), 3YO Classic (Gr.2, 1400m) and Singapore Derby (Gr.1, 1800m) in June-July. His dam Delirious (All Bar One) descends from Group 1 Victorian Oaks winner Weekend Delight (NZ).
Back home, trainers Toby & Trent Edmonds have several options for Me Me Lagarde after she cruised home in a Gold Coast barrier trial last Monday. Star Turn’s star filly was last seen finishing second (from barrier 18) in the Magic Millions Guineas (RL, 1400m) on January 15.
“She went into the Guineas with a bruised hoof so we gave her a couple of extra weeks in the paddock,” Toby Edmonds revealed. “She’s an exciting filly and did what we expected in the trial. We ran out of time for the early autumn races in Sydney so we will probably save her for one run down there before getting ready for our carnival.”
The $1million Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (Gr.2, 1200m) at Randwick on April 9 is the likely one-off target down south and Edmonds mentioned the $1.5million Stradbroke Hcp (Gr.1, 1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11 as a viable winter goal. “Races like the Gold Coast Guineas and Fred Best Classic will fit in nicely for the Stradbroke. She’s won at Eagle Farm, 1400m will be ideal and she will get no weight.”
The most recent 3yo fillies to win the Stradbroke have been La Montagna (2006), Private Steer (2003) and Dane Ripper (1997).
Vinery has 13 yearlings entered for the Inglis Premier Sale starting next Sunday, February 27. There is one Star Turn colt catalogued for Monday’s afternoon session – Lot 527 (ex Florida Girl by Sebring).
Vinery’s consignment will be available for inspection at Barn C from this Wednesday morning at Oaklands.
