Star Turn’s newly-crowned Singapore Champion 3YO Golden Monkey is primed for more black-type following a turbo-charged finish to the Flax Stakes (1200m) at Kranji on Saturday.
Golden Monkey was partnered for this first time by Simon Kok and he rode with utmost confidence from well back in the field. They ranged up to the leaders in the straight and swept by Skye Eye (Per Incanto) with greater momentum to score by a length in a superb 69.47s.
It sets up a clash with fellow Star Turn expat Silent Is Gold in the E W Barker Trophy (LR, 1400m) on April 22.
Golden Monkey (4g Star Turn – Dixie’s Comet by Northern Meteor) has won four of his nine starts for earnings over AUD300,000. Bred at Bendaree Park by Howard Blight, he made $54,000 at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
“There were a few nervous moments seeing him that far back with Lim’s Dream dragging in front,” trainer Tim Fitzsimmons said. “But Simon did a really good job not trying to chase the speed. He can be ridden quiet like that so I think he should be able to get at least a mile.
“If he comes through his run well, the EW Barker Trophy will be next and then we will go for the 4YO series which is his main target.”
The Singapore 4YO Challenge will kick off with the Silver Bowl (Gr.3, 1400m) on June 11, followed by the Stewards Cup (Gr.2, 1600m) on July 2 and culminating with the Singapore Derby (Gr.1, 1800m) on July 23.
Kok also believes Golden Monkey can get over more ground. “Coming into the straight, he took some time to find a clear run but when the gap opened, he ran like a machine. He has a really good turn of foot and it feels like he will handle further too.”
Golden Monkey is one of Singapore’s brightest finds for some time and he was a shoo-in for the Champion 3YO title at the Racing Awards last Tuesday following wins in 2022 Singapore Sprint (Gr.3, 1200m) and Singapore Classic (Gr.2, 1400m). He defeated Star Turn gelding Silent Is Gold in the Singapore Sprint and the runner-up is ready to go to another level following a brilliant victory at Kranji last Saturday.
Back home, Star Turn’s Randwick-based filly Once Again My Girl shattered the 1000m track-record at Scone last Monday clocking 55.75s for trainer Brett Cavanough and owner-breeder Greg Perry.
The Vinery sire’s 2yo Stakes-winner Saltaire has been nominated for the Kindergarten Stakes (Gr.3, 1100m) at Randwick this Saturday and his Group 1-winning mare Startantes is due to resume for trainer Rob Heathcote following a trial win at Doomben on March 16.
