Star Turn sprinter Silent Is Gold is all set to graduate to Stakes company following a record-breaking victory for Singapore trainer Stephen Gray on Saturday.
Silent Is Gold was the fifth winner saddled by Gray on Saturday to bring up 800 winners for the former NZ trainer who relocated to Singapore in 2000. At 58, he’s the youngest to achieve that honour and only the fourth to do so behind the legendary Laurie Laxon, Pat Shaw and Stephen Burridge.
Silent Is Gold (4g Star Turn – Confident by Not A Single Doubt) camped on the speed at Kranji before letting down and lifting for Ron Stewart to defeat General Command (Shalaa) by a half-length. “I told the Hong Kong owner I was confident,” Gray said. “The horse was well-handicapped and had the right draw. He tries so hard and Ronnie rode him beautifully. He picks up a cheque every time and that win will also give him confidence going forward.
“Horses like him make it easier to come to work every morning. It’s been incredibly tough for every trainer here over the last few years. Just to survive has been an achievement.”
Silent Is Gold has the speed, attitude and a big engine to go to another level for the Buddy Buddy Stable. A compact, well-balanced 550kg-plus athlete, he earned black-type for the first time last year when runner-up to Golden Monkey (Star Turn) in the Singapore 3YO Sprint (LR, 1200m).
Gray has nominated the E W Barker Trophy (LR, 1400m) as his next target on April 22 followed by Singapore Silver Bowl (LR, 1400m) on June 11. “There will be less pressure early over seven furlongs and the handicap conditions are ideal in the E W Barker. We will also have a look at the Silver Bowl as we know that he’s competitive at any level.”
Vinery sire Star Turn got him from Sydney winner Confident (Not A Single Doubt) who is a half-sister to Perignon (ATC Light Fingers Stakes Gr.2). It’s the family of Rubidium (VRC Edward Manifold Stakes Gr.2) and Dash For Cash (VRC Australian Guineas Gr.1).
Star Turn’s winning strike-rate among Australia’s Top 10 third-season sires is only bettered by Extreme Choice and his overseas strike-rate is a stunning 86%.
Vinery (as agent) has entered a Star Turn – Commanding Jewel colt (Lot 78) for the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on April 3. The family needs no introduction apart from a recent update for his close relation Russian Emperor (Galileo). The Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup winner travelled to the Gulf last month to win the US$2.5 million Amir Trophy (LR, 2400m) in Qatar.
