Galaxy Cat led home a quinella for Star Turn fillies in Perth on Saturday when she let loose with a potent finish to defeat Vranyo in the Morley Growers Market Hcp (1200m).
The David Harrison-trained youngster was spotting Vranyo the best part of five lengths at the furlong but cut her down in the shadows of the post at Belmont. “I wasn’t going to discount Galaxy Cat even though she hadn’t done much in her first two starts this prep,” Harrison revealed. “She had worked very well this week and was the one to scout today.”
Galaxy Cat (ridden by Kyra Yuill) and Vranyo (ridden by Holly Watson) finished within a long neck of one another and were almost 2 lengths in front of the next placegetter.
Star Turn has sired 17 first-crop winners at home and abroad this season and two of them are based in Perth. Beads had cut the west coast ribbons at Belmont on June 19 and they’ve helped the Vinery freshman get within two wins of Capitalist at the top of the first-crop winners’ table for 2020-21.
“I bought Galaxy Cat as a foal for $40,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions National Sale,” Harrison recalled. “She’s a half-sister to Jericho Missile and that obviously sparked my interest. I liked the way she moved and it looked like she had it all together.”
Harrison had won the $250,000 Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic LR earlier that year with Jericho Missile (Smart Missile). They were bred by David Bentata and among part-owners in both horses are Harrison’s wife Jenny, Ron O’Malley, Gerry Ryan, Graham & Megan Donovan, Oliver Kiddie, Tony Oreb and Linda Britton.
Their dam Onecatstoomany (One Cool Cat) foaled a filly by Russian Revolution last year and Bentata bred her back to Vinery’s Oakleigh Plate Gr.1 winning graduate in October.
Vranyo looked home for favourite punters when she kicked well clear in the straight. A placegetter at her previous two starts – the first of them behind Beans – she is another Star Turn foal graduate after making $30,000 to the bid of Ascot trainer Simon Miller at the 2019 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
Sold by Carramar Park, as agent for Brian and Sandra Elliott, she’s from Gooree Park-bred mare Our Miss Donovan (Hussonet) who is a half-sister to Older Than Time (ATC Sky High Hcp LR). The Elliotts also bred Press Statement filly Tawfiq Lass for wins at Kempsey and Coffs Harbour earlier this season.
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).
