Consistent sprinter Saskatoon has continued his rise up the ranks for Vinery sire Star Turn with a clear-cut victory in the Grand Syndicates Hcp (1400m) at Morphettville.
Trained by Richard and Chantelle Jolly, he made short work of the opposition in the straight to score by more than two lengths on Saturday. “That was a career-best win for us,” Richard Jolly claimed. “That makes it 4 wins from 8 runs since joining our stable!”
Saskatoon was initially raced by Star Turn’s owner Alan Bell for a debut win at Cranbourne before changing hands for $200,000 at the Inglis Digital Sale in October 2021. He was purchased by Mark Pilkington (as agent) for a syndicate managed by Seymour Bloodstock.
Bred by Kambula Stud, he’s the first foal out of Sydney winner Berry Delicious (Blevic) who was also Group 2-placed in the 2015 Golden Pendant at Rosehill. “How good was Saskatoon?” Kambula owner David Toole said. “We have more like this guy at the Adelaide Magic Millions in March.”
The Kambula draft includes the Exceedance – Streetcar Isabelle colt (Lot 357) who is a half-brother to Streetcar Stranger (MRC W J Adams Stakes LR). Toole also has a filly by the Vinery freshman from Sweet Melody (Lot 365). “She’s a very good Exceedance and is a half-sister to Capital Legend who won his first start in Hong Kong in December.”
Star Turn ramped up his Hong Kong connection on Sunday when Hasten Delight defeated boom galloper Shalatin (Shalaa) on debut at Goulburn. He’s bound for Hong Kong having been purchased by Upper Bloodstock’s Ross Lao for $180,000 at the 2021 Gold Coast Magic Millions.
“Hasten Delight had shown good promise at the trials and it was nice to see him translate it to race day with a tough win,” trainer Peter Robl said. “Mitchell (Bell) lifted our boy late in what was an enthralling two-horse war in the straight.”
Star Turn has another 20 yearlings heading to Riverside Stables for the Inglis Classic Sale starting this Sunday, February 12, including three colts and three fillies being offered by Vinery. They are stabled in Barn 1 and inspections will commence on Tuesday.
