Star Turn Runs Outstanding Sectional Times In Winning San Domenico Stakes
Following a fast beginning from his outside barrier in the small but select six-horse field, Star Turn soon crossed to race outside the leader Tango Rain (Manhattan Rain).
He easily went past the previously unbeaten colt at the 200 metre mark and raced clear to score comfortably by a length and quarter from Tango Rain. The filly Kentucky Miss (Foxwedge) fought on well for third, three quarters of a length further back.
The time for the 1100 metre journey on a Soft 7 track was 1:04.39 (11.70 200m rate), equivalent to 1200 metres in 1:10.24, which was smart in the affected going but it was his sectional times breakdown that really impressed.
Clocked from the 1000 metre point, Star Turn ran 200 metre sections of 11.07, 11.43 (400m in 22.50), 11.32 (600m in 33.82), 10.93 (800m in 44.75) and 11.34 for the final 1000 metres in 56.09 – exceptional on a Soft 7 track.
Star Turn was the winner of one race in five starts as a two-year-old, which included second in the Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) (Gr 3, 1100m), fifth in the Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) and sixth in the Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) and he was having his first run since that race in April on Saturday.
Connections have since advised that Star Turn will focus on a sprinting career this preparation and his times suggest that he is likely to be most effective with sound prospects in shorter distance features over the upcoming Spring Carnival.
Both second and third on Saturday, Tango Rain and Kentucky Miss should continue to acquit themselves well while the fourth-placed Capitalist (Written Tycoon) may have looked a little disappointing but his sectionals times were more than creditable.
Capitalist was having his first start winning the Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill on 19 March and he was burdened with 60 kilogram top weight, in addition his jockey Blake Shinn subsequently reported the colt dipped several times and was uncomfortable on the Soft 7 track.
Those points considered, his first-up effort in running fourth, beaten just over three lengths, was quite respectable and an examination of his sectional times show his performance was in fact full of merit.
Timed from the 1000 metre point, Capitalist returned 200 metre sections of 11.14, 11.42 (400m in 22.56), 11.24 (600m in 33.80), 10.98 (800m in 44.78) and 11.67 for a final 1000 metre time of 56.45.
On The Watch would not be surprised to see Capitalist acquit himself well in Group One races this season, despite what visually may have looked a disappointing return.
And while the Peter and Paul Snowden stable did not experience quite the result they were hoping in the San Domenico Stakes with Capitalist, they did have a successful day in Melbourne when Russian Revolution (Snitzel) took out the Vain Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Caulfield.
After a good beginning, Russian Revolution went to the front and after getting a break on straightening, the colt fought back well to defeat Highland Beat (Exceed And Excel) by a long neck with the Mick Price-trained colt Hardham (Redoute’s Choice) a good third, a short head further back.
Timed from the 1000 metre point, Russian Revolution returned 2000 metre sections of 11.11, 11.19 (400m in 22.30), 11.67 (600m in 33.07), 11.37 (800m in 45.34) and 11.97 for a smart final 1000 metre time of 57.31 on the Good 4 track.
The runner-up Highland Beat was timed to run his final 1000 metres in 57.29 in making ground from fifth at that point, while the lightly-raced colt Hardham showed his potential in running on from eighth for a close-up third, clocking 57.13 – a promising effort at only his second race start.
The time for the 1100 metre journey was 1.05.14 (11.84 200m rate), equivalent to 1200 metres in 1:11.06 a time that was bettered by 0.11 seconds in the following race by the fillies in the Quezette Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m).
The time for the Quezette Stakes was 1:05.03 (11.82 200m rate), equivalent to 1200 metres in 1:10.94 for 1200 metres suggesting the winner, I Am A Star (I Am Invincible), has a bright career ahead.
Now winning three of her four starts, I Am A Star had to overcome a difficult barrier (13) and she came from back in 11th place at the home turn before scoring by a head from Leotie (Darci Brahma) with Athena Lass (Snitzel) only a half-head away third.
I Am A Star was timed to run her final 1000 metres in 57.21, last 800 metres in 45.43, last 600 metres in 34.35 with her final 200 metres in 22.83 – impressive sectionals.
The runner-up Leotie also ran very good sectionals times in coming from back in 12th place at the home turn. She ran 57.15 (last 1000m), 45.37 (last 800m), 34.28 (last 600m) and 22.72 (last 400m).
In the main race of the day at Caulfield, the noted front-runners Lord Of The Sky (Danerich) and The Cleaner (Savoire Vivre) assured a strong tempo in the P B Lawrence Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m).
After a battle between the pair, Lord Of The Sky found the front position, with the field spreading out behind a quick pace with the 600 metres (from the 1200m to the 400m) in 34.28 while the 1000 metres (1200m to the 200m) clocked a quick 58.63 before Lord Of The Sky was overtaken.
He dropped out to finish fifth while The Cleaner, who was resuming after a setback, weakened and finished eleventh.
The winner Miss Rose De Lago (Encosta De Lago) was given an ideal trip by Damian Oliver, who yet again demonstrated his skill in rating his mounts perfectly.
Eased back to fourth when the tempo picked up, Rose De Lago commenced her move at the home turn and after taking the lead at the 100 metres she fought back to defeat Jacquinot Bay (Galileo) by a half-length with Entirely Platinum (Pentire) the same margin away third.
Both placegetters ran well, while the fourth-placed Jameka (Myboycharlie) caught the eye running on in restricted room from ninth at the 1000 metre mark, a section she ran in a smart 58.85, a performance suggesting that the 2015 VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) winner is in for a good preparation.