Star Turn has again drawn within one of Capitalist as leading first season sire for number of individual winners following the win of Wilkshire in a 1012m maiden at the Sapphire Coast on Sunday.
Ridden by Robyn Freeman-Key for Kembla Grange-based trainer Anthony Mountney, Wilkshire travelled sweetly in the run behind the leader Delightful Denni.
Without going around a runner, Wilkshire swept to the front at the 200m before safely holding the challenge of the 3yo Bullet Train gelding Brainzes by three-quarters of a length with the same distance back to the 2yo Denman filly Delightful Denni in third.
It was the breakthrough at start six for Wilkshire who was coming off a 4-week break since a second placing at Moruya.
Purchased by his trainer for $70,000 from the Carramar Park draft at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, the son of Star Turn made $92,500 when reoffered by Valiant Stud at the Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale.
He is the fifth winner from six to race out of General Nediym mare Private Kiss, a sister to the flying Paprika whose six wins were highlighted by the Listed QTC McDougall Stakes and Listed BTC Tommy Smith Slipper.
As we move into the final week of the season, Wilkshire becomes the 18th first-crop winner in Australia and 19th overall for Vinery Stud’s Star Turn. He trails Capitalist by one as the pair of first crop stallions attempt to run down the 20 2yo winners sired by the champion Snitzel for the 2yo title.
