Brilliant Win for Top Priced Star Witness

The most expensive yearling sired by Star Witness in 2015 when fetching $400,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale earlier this year is now a winner following a brilliant runaway victory at Randwick on Saturday.

The Hawkes Racing trained two year-old colt Star Turn was a luckless third on debut at the same venue on October 10 and quickly made amends for that defeat.

He raced up on the pace in the small field of five and powered clear to win the $150,000 Pierro Plate over 1100 metres by three lengths in a commanding performance.

Michael Hawkes, who trains in partnership with brother Wayne and father John, said it was pleasing to see the colt rebound from a surprise first-up defeat as favourite.

“He’s a very smart colt, he should have done that last start,” Hawkes said.

“First-up when he got in behind them he didn’t know what to do. Today he was slow away again but Tommy (Berry) gave him a dig and got him up there.

“I said to Tommy to make sure over the last bit you really give it to him and let him learn what it’s all about.

“And he won like a good racehorse.”

With $88,450 awarded to the winner, Star Turn is well on the way to qualifying for this season’s major juvenile events – the Magic Million 2YO Classic (1200m) and Group I Golden Slipper (1200m).

“Whether we head towards the Magic Millions or put him away for the Slipper is something will have to contend with but it’s good prizemoney and we’re happy to be part of it,” Hawkes said.

Consigned for sale to Magic Millions and bred in partnership by Widden, Star Turn made $400,000 at and runs in the familiar colours of well-known Sydney owner Alan Bell.

He is a half-brother to three other winners including Group II placed Straight Gold from the good producer and Group III winner Golden Delicious.

Golden Delicious has a yearling filly by Star Turn’s sire Star Witness and was covered last spring by Stratum.