Edged out by Blanc De Blanc when making her career debut at Newcastle, the Star Turn filly Saltaire turned the tables on her conqueror and the highly touted Facile in Saturday’s $500,000 Inglis Nursery (RL) at Randwick.
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy for John O’Shea, Saltaire tracked the leader Facile into the straight, and the pair settled down to fight out a thrilling finish.
In an all-fillies finish, Saltaire edged out the Trapeze Artist debutant Facile by a half-head with a further three-quarter length back to the fast-finishing I Am Invincible filly, Blanc De Blanc, in third.
A $140,000 purchase for Kitchwin Hills from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Saltaire runs for a syndicate that includes Max Whitby and Neil Werrett.
John O’Shea said the result franks the form of the Newcastle race.
“The Newcastle form must be alright because Michael’s (Freedman) horse (Blanc De Blanc) got trapped wide and ran very well,” O’Shea said.
“Really happy for the ownership group, Neil, Max and of course Mick Malone, who picked her out. He does a great job. Cheap filly 140 grand and won half a million. First-time owner in Daniel MacPherson is amongst a good group of people and very excited for them.
“She has just coped with it all so very well. I worked her with Waihaha Falls on Tuesday. It was indicative of how much confidence we had in her. I said to Kerrin today she is ready to rock and roll. He rode her beautifully, as he always does.
“Look at her. She is a tough, resilient filly; nothing phases her. She’ll have a little break now and come back in the Autumn. You never know where she will end up.
The sith black-type winner for Vinery Stud’s Star Turn, Saltaire, is the best of two winners from three to race for the unraced Testa Rossa mare Testa Sarah, which has a yearling colt by All Too Hard.
Star Turn has nine catalogued for the Magic Millions and 21 at the Inglis Classic.
