Trainer Matt Dunn produced another Highway Star on Saturday when lightly-raced Tribeca Star commenced living up to his potential at Rosehill.
The 4yo son of Vinery sire Star Turn had won a Doomben maiden in March and kicked off the Golden Eagle meeting with fast-finishing half-length victory over Extra Smart (Capitalist) in the TAB Highway Hcp (1200m).
Dunn has won 33 Highways and is sure there’s a bright career ahead of Tribeca Star. “We’ve known that for quite a while. We’ve been patient because he’s taken time to develop but today’s win is a good example of what he can achieve in the future. He could even be a Country Championships prospect later this season.”
The $1million Country Championship Final (1400m) will be run at Randwick on Saturday, April 6. Dunn won it with grey mare Gracie Belle (Top Echelon) in 2020.
Tribeca Star (4g Star Turn – Classy Manhattan by Manhattan Rain) was bred and sold by Vinery for $90,000 at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. His dam is a half-sister to Property (Starcraft) who was a Group 3 winner of the 2017 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick and Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield.
Jockey Nash Rawiller said Tribeca Star was winning on raw ability. “He did it comfortably and is ready to take the next step. He got lost once in front and there was a length or two up my sleeve.”
Rawiller had piloted his Star Turn stablemate Derry Grove to consecutive Highway wins earlier this season. He’s also raced by many of the same connections including Viva Racing manager Mitch Lowe. “Every Star Turn I’ve put a bridle on has had city-class ability,” Dunn declared “They’re sound with good minds and you should consider him if you want to breed a winner.”
Star Turn also sired a winner at Ascot on Saturday but Beads wasn’t the winner that punters expected in the west. Beads was easy in the market at $15 but belied that price with an on-pace victory in the Penang Turf Club Trophy (1000m).
Beads (5g Star Turn – Sopraffina by Exceed And Excel) improved his record to 6 wins and prizemoney of $380,000 for managing part-owner and trainer Steve Wolfe. He was initially sold as a foal for $62,500 at the 2019 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale on the Gold Coast.
“He’s come back in this prep rearing to go,” Wolfe said. “He’s so genuine and it showed with a gutsy display today.”
Star Turn’s Perth flag-bearer Alsephina continued to firm into a $4 favourite for the Railway Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) in three weeks despite a shock loss in the Asian Beau Stakes (Gr.3, 1400m) on Saturday.
Alsephina flew home to be beaten three-quarters of a length by front-runner Marocchino (Maschino) who gave bookmakers a skinner at $101. She was racing first-up since New Year’s Day for jockey Willie Pike who is looking to win a sixth Railway Stakes on November 25.
“Alsephina is going super and she’s my pin-up horse at the moment,” Pike said. “I’m pretty confident I’m on the right horse for the Railway.”
Vinery 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).
