Stakes racing at the Goldfields on Sunday, where the Starn Turn gelding Starry Heights made his stakes debut count in the Listed Blue Spec Drilling Boulder Cup (2116m).
Ridden by Willie Pike for Grant and Alana Williams, the 5-year-old gelding circled the field from second last. Hitting the front 300m out, Starry Heights romped to a four-length win from Iowa (Galileo), with Admiration Express (My Admiration) a length back in third.
Starry Heights raced through his classes with six consecutive wins last year but had gone winless in six starts since.
The son of Star Turn advances his record to eight wins and a second from 18 starts with earnings of $359,572.
“I thought the pace was only even, and I thought I might have to do a little more to get over the top of them,” Pike said.
“I didn’t want to die wondering as I got caught napping last time (in the Coolgardie Cup), and I did not come here for that to happen again.
“I worried I might have gone too early, but he did it so easily. The extra distance of the Kalgoorlie Cup should not be a problem."
Purchased by his trainers for $35,000 from the Ruby Racing & Breeding draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Starry Heights is the first foal and only runner for the unraced High Chaparral mare Highly Illustrious, who hails from the family of Denie’s Joy.
The third and final foal of Highly Illustrious is a 2-year-old colt by War Chant, a $5,000 purchase for John Chalmers Bloodstock (FBAA) at the 2023 Perth Winter Thoroughbred Sale.
Starry Heights is the ninth stakes-winner for Vinery Stud’s Star Turn, who stands for $27,500.
