Vinery Stud couldn’t have asked for a better start when Star Turn sired a promising winner at the Randwick 2yo trials on Monday.

Star Turn was a brilliant 2yo in his own right and that precocity was patently clear when his colt Astrologer won the final hit-out of the morning over 845m.  He missed the kick but worked home nicely for Kerrin McEvoy to score by over a length.

“Kerrin was very happy with the run after being a touch slow away,” Snowden Racing manager Colum Mc Cullagh said.  “He mustered well and was strong through the line.  He won with ears pricked but was looking around so there’s obviously a nice bit of improvement in him.”

Astrologer (2c Star Turn Dam – Fast ‘N’ Witty by Fastnet Rock) will now fast-forward as a live chance for the Breeders’ Plate Gr.3 at Randwick on October 3.  He was a $300,000 buy from Edinglassie Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions in January for a James Harron Colts Syndicate that includes Belinda Bateman, Rob & Donna Love, Fergus & Delia Doyle, John & Fran Ingham, Gary Diamond, Danny Saab & Steve Gillard.

Edinglassie manager Mick Talty was understandably upbeat after selling him on the Gold Coast.  “He’s a beautiful mover and built in the same mould as his sire.  Star Turn was a superb athlete and this colt is a very strong individual.”

Astrologer has also inherited speed to burn on the bottom half of the pedigree.  Second-dam Crystal Wit won a Dequetteville Stakes LR and her half-sister Crystal Lily was crowned Australia’s Champion 2YO after a stunning victory in the 2010 Golden Slipper Gr.1.

The other Star Turn to trial on Monday morning was the David Harrison-trained filly Galaxy Cat in Perth.  She was placed in a 400m scamper at Lark Hill when no more than a neck separated the first four home.

“She sat back when they jumped but then really hit the ground running,” Harrison reported.  “All going well, I will give her another trial in fortnight ahead of the Initial Plate (1000m) at Ascot next month.

“I bought her as a foal for $40,000 at last year’s Magic Millions National Sale.  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.”

A few months earlier, Harrison had won the $100,000 Crystal Slipper and $250,000 Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic with Jericho Missile (Smart Missile).  Among the part-owners in both horses are Harrison’s wife Jenny, Ron O’Malley, Gerry Ryan, Graham & Megan Donovan, Oliver Kiddie, Tony Oreb and WA Greyhound Hall of Famer Linda Britton.

Galaxy Cat (2f Star Turn – Onecatstoomany by One Cool Cat) was bred by David Bentata and he was also responsible for the Group 1 winning siblings Ofcourseican (Mossman) and Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready).

Star Turn (Star Witness) covered 158 mares in his initial book at Vinery.  His first yearlings sold for 10 times his service fee at the 2020 majors and Vinery will stand him for $16,500 (inc GST) this year payable on a live foal.

STAR TURN