Turnstar turned on a brave display at Newcastle to become the 16th first-crop winner by Vinery freshman Star Turn.
The Team Hawkes 2yo was scratched from recent engagements at Gosford and Kembla Grange to get the green light on Saturday. Earlier this year, he had worked home behind Stakes performed Pagasi (Star Turn) on debut at Geelong and was sent interstate after a second at Werribee to Birdsville (Sooboog) who was then Stakes placed at Flemington.
With that black-type formline, it was no surprise to see Turnstar confidently backed into a $2.90 favourite for the Beresfield Bowling Club Maiden (900m). Sitting just off the speed and travelling kindly first time clockwise for Christian Reith, he angled into the clear approaching the furlong pole and knuckled down to see off Xpresso (Xtravagant) by a short-head in a driving finish.
Star Turn’s winners in 2020-21 include 15 in Australia and Cordyceps Six in Hong Kong. Capitalist (18 – 23) leads the Australian first-season tables for winners and wins from Star Turn (15 – 19) and Flying Artie (10 – 12). On the Australian 2yo Sires list Star Turn is sitting 3rd behind only Capitalist and Snitzel.
Turnstar is trained by Team Hawkes as were his sire and dam Mihiri (More Than Ready) who won at Randwick prior to a Group 2 placing in the 2015 Breeders’ Classic at Rosehill. He was bred by Kia Ora Stud and Vinery partners David Paradice and Steve McCann and sold for $50,000 at the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Mihiri’s first foal Wellington (All Too Hard) is a finalist for Hong Kong’s Champion Sprinter Award in 2020-21. He was a stunning winner of the Chairman’s Sprint Prize Gr.1 in April and is pitted against Courier Wonder and Hot King Prawn.
The Star Witness – Mihiri three-quarter sister to Turnstar was an $85,000 buy for Tricolours Racing at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in February.
Vinery stands Star Turn for a $16,500 (inc. GST) service fee with payment on a live foal. For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
