Trainer Matt Dunn led the plaudits for Vinery sire Star Turn after his sprinter Derry Grove completed a hat-trick in the TAB Highway Hcp (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Dunn prepares Derry Grove for a Viva Racing syndicate and they’ve banked $175,000 since buying the lightly-raced chestnut at the 2020 Gold Coast Magic Millions. “Star Turn may be the most under-rated stallion in the country,” Dunn claimed. “We’ve had a number and every one that we’ve put a bridle on has had city-class ability. They’re sound with good minds and you should consider him if you want to breed winners.”
Derry Grove was bred and sold by Jeff and Janine Allis through the Jorson Farm consignment at the 2020 Gold Coast Magic Millions. His younger half-brother Whiskey Hangover (All Too Hard) is a last-start Seymour winner for Lindsay Park.
Adelaide-based Richard & Chantelle Jolly have also trained multiple winners by Star Turn including their consistent mare Our Shining Star who broke through in the Thomas Farms Hcp (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Our Shining Star had been knocking on the door after giving the stable’s recent Group 3 winner See You In Heaven (Divine Prophet) a run for her money in a track gallop last week. “She’s had a long campaign but is coping well and looks fantastic,” Chantelle said. “It was a great ride by Jake (Toeroek) and I’m so glad for the owners.”
Among them is Dean Hurrell and he also has a share in Headwater mare Aitch Two Oh who won the VRC Red Roses Stakes (Gr.3, 1100m) at Flemington during the 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Queensland mare Glamour And Glory notched another Star Turn hat-trick in the Celebrity Ink Hcp (1000m) at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday. “She is super honest and put them away comfortably today,” trainer Glenn Thornton said as his son Damian brought the mare back to scale. “It’s fantastic to see this mare thriving this preparation and hopefully more wins in store for her owners.”
They include Glenn’s wife Wendy and Rohan & Tanya Snell. Glamour And Glory is a Vinery graduate and won a Wyong maiden for Team Hawkes before transferring to the Sunshine State. She’s the first foal from Alan Bell’s NZ Stakes winner Miss Seton Dands (Gonski).
Trainer Peter Chow is thinking about setting True Nobility for a late challenge towards the Victorian Country Cup Series after the Star Turn gelding won at Hamilton on Monday.
True Nobility charged home to catch Infinite Matrix (Choisir) right on the line in the Evergreen Turf Hcp (1200m). “He has ability but lost his way for a while and had a throat op so it’s good to see him putting it all together now,” Chow said. “He’s been faultless this prep and it was a gem of a ride by Declan Bates. He’s a beautiful-looking horse and I’m keen to get him up to at a mile.”
Bates confirmed getting over a mile could be the making of True Nobility. “He was the best horse in the race today and quickened nicely for me in the straight. The leader kicked but he knuckled down for a real good win.”
Musk Creek Farm bred him by using Star Turn over Hemingway Rules (Hemingway). He’s one of four winners from the mare and she is a half-sister to Man Of Illusion (Encosta de Lago) who was exported to win the 2006 Group 3 Aegon Sprint at Churchill Downs clocking 56.28s for 1000m.
Star Turn stands at Vinery for a $27,500 (inc GST) service fee this year payable on a live foal. For bookings or further information, contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).