Scone trainer Brett Cavanough will be hoping it’s a case of third time lucky with Star Boy in Wednesday week’s $160,000 Ramornie Hcp LR at Grafton.
Cavanough has come close with The Monstar in the last two editions of the Ramornie and he’s quietly confident Star Boy can also play a hand this year – if he makes the final field on July 10.
The progressive son of Pluck improved his record to 6 wins in 14 starts with a tenacious front-running victory at Tamworth on Friday. It followed another odds-on success in the Aberdeen Cup a fortnight ago.
“He’s going up in the ratings and hopefully that will get him into the Ramornie,” Cavanough said. “He’s building a good record after having a few issues early on. I couldn’t get his feet right for ages.”
Star Boy (4g Pluck – Cubana Moss by Mossman) is an older half-brother to stablemate Boom Gate (Casino Prince) who is being set for the Grafton Guineas on the Ramornie support card. They are both homebreds for Vinery partner Greg Perry and the Pyne family.
Jockey Keagan Latham reported there was still a lot left in the tank with Star Boy on Friday. “It wasn’t the plan to lead but he kept kicking down the straight. And being challenged before the turn only helped him respond. The Ramornie will be a lot stronger but he’s got so much natural ability.”
Pluck (More Than Ready) has another Perry-bred sprinter named Special Steel rising through the ranks in Macau. He shouldered 60kg to win The Turin (1500m) last Saturday for trainer Stanley Chin and owner Huang Zhong Hua.
Special Steel (Aus) crossed from a wide gate to sit on the pace before gunning down Impeccable Genius (Ire) and Prosperity Star (NZ). He hasn’t been out of a place in five starts this year following a first-up victory in February.
Pluck sired him from Tinjirarni (Exceed And Excel) who won at Randwick and Canterbury for Gai Waterhouse. It’s the family of 2015 Hong Kong Horse of the Year Able Friend.
Vinery stands Pluck for a $6,600 service fee on roster comprising More Than Ready ($55,000), All Too Hard ($27,500), Star Turn ($22,000), Headwater ($16,500), Press Statement ($16,500) & Casino Prince ($6,600). All fees include GST.
