The penny has well and truly dropped for Star Turn’s Beauty Destiny, winning his fourth race in five starts at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Ridden midfield and settled by Andrea Atzeni in the Class 3 event, the Frankie Lor trained five year-old came powerfully in the final stages to win by a length and quarter over King Of Fighters (Street Boss) and Aurio (Capitalist) third.
Midfield and settled wasn’t always the case for Beauty Destiny who was a $140,000 yearling buy for Hawkes Racing from Vinery Stud at Magic Millions Gold Coast and went to Hong Kong unraced after winning two barrier trials under the name Spitzer.
He created an immediate impression in his new home, trialling strongly which saw gim start an odds-on favourite in his first two runs, however his hard going and erratic ways saw him his own worst enemy and it took until start nine before the first win.
This season however has seen a different horse, with the result four wins and two placings from seven starts, and Class 2 now beckons having carried top weight in last night’s race.
“When he started racing, he trialled good and the jockeys said he was a really good horse,” Lor said.
“But in his races, he would jump fast and go forward and couldn’t finish.
“He put his head up and swished his tail. Now he sits back, relaxes and settles and he’s like a totally different horse. I think he’s learning and the jockeys say every race he’s improving and improving.”
Star Turn doesn’t have big numbers in Hong Kong with Beauty Destiny one of five winners this season from only eight starters.
