An on-pace victory in a Class 1 sprint on Saturday has given Silent Is Gold the chance to join Star Turn’s black-type caps roll-call in Singapore.
Silent Is Gold has been placed twice in Listed company at Kranji and will return to that level in the Fortune Bowl (1400m) on February 11. “He’s quick and Jamil (Sarwi) suits him well,” trainer Stephen Gray said. “He’s also such an honest horse and always picks up a cheque.
“I told Jamil to go forward. That’s the best way to ride this horse and he never panicked.”
Silent Is Gold made the most of an 8kg advantage to defeat fellow Star Turn expat Golden Monkey who is already a black-type winner for Vinery Stud’s successful sire following the 2023 Singapore Derby (LR, 1800m).
“He had a light weight but that’s the game,” Gray added. “Golden Monkey was the better horse at equal weights last year but we got him at the handicaps coupled with Jamil’s 3kg claim. The Flower Bowl suits and we will see where we go from there.”
Silent Is Gold was bred by Serene Lodge and sold through Vinery for $50,000 at an Inglis Digital Sale in June 2021. He initially raced as Confiscate and was exported following a one-off loss at Canterbury for Team Hawkes.
Star Turn got him from Sydney winner Confident (Not A Single Doubt) who foaled an Exceedance filly in October. She is a half-sister to ATC Light Fingers Stakes (Gr.2, 1200m) winner Perignon (Snitzel).
Silent Is Gold improved his career-card to 7 wins in 22 starts and his earnings are the equivalent of AUD446,000 for the Buddy Buddy Stable. “The boss told me to use his speed,” Jamil said. “We jumped well but I was happy to sit outside Sky Eye (Per Incanto) and off the rail which was a bit heavy.
“I picked him up on the corner and got busy at the 400m. I changed the whip to my left hand when I heard one coming and he responded again. I saw Golden Monkey late but just put my head down and my horse did the rest.”
Star Turn is coming off a very successful Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale with a Book 1 average of $172,500. His Book 2 draft was headed by a Sale-topping colt purchased by trainer Danny O’Brien for $230,000. He also sired Derry Grove to a career-high victory in the $1million Magic Millions The Syndicate (1100m) last Saturday.
There are 16 Star Turn yearlings catalogued for the Inglis Classic Sale at Riverside Stables on February 11, 12 and 13. First to parade is Lot 19, a Vinery-consigned colt from What’s New (Casino Prince) who was Singapore’s 4YO Champion in 2019.
