With a record of eight wins from ten starts, the last five in succession, few would begrudge the four-year-old Star Turn mare Alsephina a maiden stakes success in Saturday’s Listed Starstruck Classic (1600m) at Ascot.
Ridden by Willie Pike for Grant and Alana Williams, Alsephina enjoyed the run of the race one out, one back before mounting a challenge three wide on the turn.
Hitting the front soon after, Alsephina safely held the Bradbury’s Luck mare, Gunmetal Grey, by three-quarters of a length, with the Playing God mare Playing Marika, a half-length back in third.
The daughter of Star Turn advances her record to eight wins, a second, and a third from ten starts with earnings of $314,940.
“We didn’t have many horses for the carnival, but we set ourselves a goal to win in a stakes race,” Grant Williams said.
“That would be a tick for us. The next six months will be exciting for the stable. We have some lovely owners who enjoy a win.
‘She has taken a while. She is a lovely bred horse who we looked after as a bub. We never pressed her.
“I have not been shy in saying she will be a Railway (Stakes) horse next year.
“We will give her a start in the La Trice; then, she will have a good break.”
Bred by G & G Bloodstock, Alsephina is the best of two winners from as many to race out of the stakes-winning Street Cry (IRE) mare Delta Gee who was second to Response in the Group III Matron Stakes and to Lady Lynette in the Group III Tesio Stakes.
Delta Gee had a horror start to her career as a broodmare.
She either missed or slipped in her first five seasons. She has just one foal after Alsephina, the unraced 3yo Supido gelding Tale Of Perth, who is in training with Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
Alsephina is the seventh stakes-winner for Star Turn and is his third this season. The Vinery stallion has nine catalogued for the Magic Millions, 21 in the Inglis Classic, and two at the Inglis Premier.
