A masterclass by Jason Collett was rewarded with a Group 1 win for the high-class Star Turn filly Startantes in the Sky Racing Tattersall's Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
The lone 3yo filly in the race, Startantes needs to be ridden patiently and she found the perfect partner in Collett. Last on the turn, Collett rode for luck and scythed through the field to overpower the game Choisir mare Snapdancer by a half-length with the So You Think mare Palaisipana further one and a quarter lengths back in third.
With her style of racing, the Robert Heathcote-trained filly needs her share of luck, and she has had none since being edged out by Hinges in the Group 1 Surround Stakes at Randwick in February.
Bred by her trainer and raced by his wife Vicky in partnership, Startantes, advances her record to six wins, two seconds , and three thirds from 19 starts with earnings of $891,500.
The daughter of star Turn is the best of three winners from as many to race from Heathcote’s star mare Funtantes.
A tough-as-teak daughter of Easy Rocking, Funtantes won 10 and placed in 13 of her 50 starts while banking $704,550. Among her wins was the Group II BTC Champagne Classic, Listed Nudgee Handicap and Listed Juanmo Stakes.
The connection goes back another generation to Funtantes dam Cantantes, a winner for Heathcote in his first season as a trainer.
The daughter of Just Awesome supplied Heathcote with many winners. Besides Funtantes, they included the wonderful money-spinner Excellantes who won 12 and placed in 16 of his 54 starts with prizemoney of $797,550. The son of Falvelon earned five Listed stakes wins in Brisbane.
Little wonder Startantes holds a special place in the heart of her trainer.
“The very special little pumpkin. We’ve known she was special, and she went close in the Surround in Sydney, she had no luck,” Heathcote said.
“We made a big call taking Taylor (Marshall) off and putting Jason on, but he was last coming into the straight, kept his cool and ran right through them.
“She’s probably worth a few bob now.
“She’ll go to the paddock for sure. I was going to take her to Melbourne for the spring, but I’ll need to re-evaluate that now because she hasn’t had a break now for literally two preparations - only little band aid breaks but jeez, there are some nice fillies and mares races at Flemington isn’t there?
“I am so pleased for the ownership group. We had the mum - Funtantes, and I had her mum - Cantantes, it has been a part of my life for 23-24 years. This ownership group has been with me the whole way. My staff have done a fantastic job and of course, Jason Collett - thank you mate.”
Funtantes has a 2yo filly by Russian Revolution named Ekaterina who has won one and placed in two of her three starts to date.
Funtantes has a yearling colt foal by Spirit Of Boom and a weanling filly by Rothesay. She was covered by Star Turn last spring.
Heathcote must be counting his blessing after Funtantes failed to make her $300,000 reserve at the 2012 National Broodmare Sale.
Startantes is the first Group 1 winner and fifth stakes-winner for Vinery Stud’s Star Turn who stands at a fee of $27,500 in 2022.
