Star Turn sprinter Derry Grove cruised up to the leaders in the TAB Highway Hcp (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday to win untouched under Nash Rawiller.
The race was all over at the furlong as he coasted home by four lengths as the $5.50 favourite. Runner-up Centre Bounce is also by the rapidly rising Vinery Stud stallion and she’s a stablemate of the winner with Highway King Matt Dunn.
“Derry Grove has been in more trouble than Flash Gordon but Viva Racing and their owners stuck solid and allowed us the time to get him right,” Dunn said. “He was as well today as he’s ever been since his first race start and we saw just how smart he is when right.”
A winner on debut at Warwick Farm as a summer 3yo, he was never far away in his next six starts before a breakthrough at Ipswich last month. He doubled up at Randwick to increase his prizemoney pool to $120,350.
“Derry Grove was very good but we’re also happy with Centre Bounce who gave him a huge start on straightening and found the line strongly. She won’t be long winning her Highway.”
Derry Grove was bred by Jeff & Janine Allis and sold for $30,000 at the 2020 Gold Coast Magic Millions to agent Neil Jenkinson on behalf of a Viva Racing Syndicate.
His dam True Malt (Elusive Quality) has also thrown winners by All Too Hard, Brazen Beau and Foxwedge and her final foal is a yearling colt by Nicconi. Second-dam Strawberry Malt (Lion Hunter) won a Listed Bright Shadow Hcp and Golden Garter in Brisbane.
Star Turn brought up a double on Saturday when Starry Heights completed a hat-trick for trainers Grant and Alana Williams in Perth. He went out an odds-on favourite and received all the favours one-out and two-back under a perfect ride by Willie Pike at Belmont.
“Adding blinkers has tapped into ability that he probably didn’t even know was there,” Pike reasoned after in the Prive On Sale Now Hcp (1600m). “He’s going from strength-to-strength and it is very hard making ground out there today.”
Starry Heights is coming to the end of his second prep for Team Williams after winning his maiden as a summer 3yo at Northam. “We will let the dust settle before deciding whether to give him another run before a break,” Grant said. “It was comfortable watch today although I thought he could have put them away a little bit better. Then again, I’m probably being too picky.”
Ruby Racing & Breeding sold him, as agent for breeder Ellie Giles, for $35,000 at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions. Ruby’s Jaime O’Bree was spot on predicting his future progress at the Swan Valley Yearling Sale. “He’s the first foal from Highly Illustrious, a mare by High Chaparral, and is a real dude. He might need time to fully mature but he’s nice mover and is light on his feet.”
Star Turn is coming off an amazing season in 2022-23 when his winners-to-runners strike-rate was the highest in Australia! That was mirrored at the majors this year when his yearlings averaged almost ten times his service fee.
Vinery Stud stands Star Turn 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. If you have any questions, please call us on 02 6543 8333. It’s essential to RSVP at: https://vinery.com.au/2023-vinery-stallion-parades
