Sparkling Return for Turquoise King

A $150,000 NZB Ready to Run purchase from Karaka in 2012, three year old Stratum gelding Turquoise King resumed from a spell to defeat older horses and win impressively at Caulfield on Wednesday.

Prepared by Hawkes Racing, Turquoise King had finished either first or second at his only four previous runs last campaign and was sent out favourite for the Benchmark 64 event over 1200 metres.

He was always travelling like a winner for Patrick Moloney and cruised clear to win by a length and a half.

Turquoise King was bred in Victoria at Rosemont Stud and sold as a yearling for $21,000 at the Magic Millions National Sale where he was snaffled by New Zealand Bloodstock.

Re-offered at their Ready to Run Sale a few months later by Phoenix Park, Turquoise King fetched $150,000.

Turquoise King is the third winner from Geiger Counter (USA) mare Girls Rule, a half-sister to stakes-winner Roll On Royce.