Zac Spain charted a course six horses off the fence while steering Star Mistress to another determined victory at Sandown on Wednesday.

Spain partnered the 3yo daughter of Vinery sire Star Turn to win at Moe in December and she graduated to city ranks with brave display in the Senet Gambling Law Experts Hcp (1200m).  They raced on a Heavy 9 surface around the Lakeside circuit and there was no place for the faint-hearted in the straight.

“Her natural speed put us on the pace and I scouted out wide,” Spain reported after she held the late challenge of the favourite Von Hauke (NZ).  “It was chopped up closer to the fence and I was happy to keep her flowing and in a rhythm out there.  She’s tough and dug deep in the final stages.

“She took the extra step today after going okay first up.  I’m building an affinity with her and she will keep improving.”

Star Mistress has won three of her five outings for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Arian Bott.  Agent Johnny McKeever bought her for $90,000 at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for a partnership that also raced Our Crown Mistress (Star Witness) to black-type victories at Flemington and Eagle Farm in 2017-18.

She is a half-sister to this year’s ATC Emancipation Stakes (Gr.2, 1500m) winner Roots (Press Statement) and has the potential to also make a black-type mare next season.  They are both Vinery graduates, from the mare Arctic Success (Big Brown), who is out of Golden Slipper winner Polar Success.

The Exceedance colt from Arctic Success was purchased by Simon Zahra for $95,000 out of the Vinery Stud draft at the 2023 Gold Coast Magic Millions in January.

Star Turn has sired 14 individual winners so far this month and he can kick-start July with Golden Monkey in the Stewards Cup (LR, 1600m) at Kranji this Sunday.  Jockey Chad Schofield takes the ride in the second leg of the Singapore 4YO Challenge after Mark Zahra and Hugh Bowman were unavailable when contacted by trainer Tim Fitzsimmons.

Golden Monkey ran second to Super Salute in the first leg in the Silver Bowl (1400m) and Schofield believes he can turn the tables over a mile.  “He puts himself into races so we should get a good run and they’ve taken the blinkers off as he steps up in distance.  Tim told me he worked super the other day and I see no reason why he won’t be in the finish again.”

Golden Monkey (4g Star Turn – Dixie’s Comet by Northern Meteor) has won four of his 11 starts for earnings the equivalent of AUD$350,000.  Bred at Bendaree Park by Howard Blight, he made $54,000 at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Star Turn stands at Vinery for a fee of $27,500 including GST, with payment on a live foal.  For bookings or further information, contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).