Star Turn gelding Golden Monkey came from last to notch a third domestic Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) for Vinery Stud sires at Kranji on Sunday.
Following in the footsteps of Hard Too Think (All Too Hard) in 2021 and Jupiter Gold (Congrats) in 2018, Golden Monkey went out an odds-on favourite and powered home under Hugh Bowman to defeat Cavalry (Tavistock) by three-quarters of a length.
Golden Monkey claimed the Singapore 4YO Challenge having won the second leg in the Stewards Cup (LR, 1600m) at Kranji earlier this month. His first feature win had been in the 2022 Singapore 3YO Sprint (LR, 1200m).
“It’s been twelve months in the making for this race,” trainer Tim Fitzsimmons said. “Everything had been planned and plotted, as well as the amazing ride. Everything came off. Our bloodstock agent Josh McLoughlan found the horse and he’s brought so many new owners to my stable. Now to top it off with my first Group 1 in the Derby is amazing.”
Golden Monkey (4g Star Turn – Dixie’s Comet by Northern Meteor) was bred at Bendaree Park by Howard Blight and has won six of his 13 starts for earnings of AUD 445,000 after making $54,000 from Byerley Stud (as agent) at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
“He sprinted and put them away quickly but had enough at the line,” Bowman said. “He has a lovely turn of foot although I don’t think he’s at his best over 1800m. I thought he simply had the class edge over this field and he’s been taught to settle and relax.
“He got a bit of fright before the start and that concerned me because I thought he wouldn’t settle before he went into the gates – but he did. I had a lot of confidence in the horse and he provided me with the turn of foot that I expected.”
Star Turn has a 100% record in Singapore with 5 winners of 15 races. He stands at Vinery Stud for a $27,500 (inc GST) service fee payable on a live foal. For bookings or further information, contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
This year’s Vinery Stud stallion parades will be on Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th of August, starting at 8:30am on both days. It is essential to RSVP if you are planning to come and see our six stallions, which is easy to do at this link: https://vinery.com.au/2023-vinery-stallion-parades/ If you have any questions, call us on 02 6543 8333.
