Star Turn's Starry Heights Romps in the Boulder Cup

Mark Smith - Sunday September 22

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.

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“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."

Starry Heights a $35,000 Perth Magic Millions yearling

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.  

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Race Result - Blue Spec Drilling Boulder Cup LR 2116m

Kalgoorlie Track: Good(3) Time: 2:08.24
1
Starry Heights
- 5g Star Turn (AUS) x Highly Illustrious (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: W Pike 54.5
Star Turn
MM Perth Yearling Sale $35,000
Seller: Ruby Racing & Breeding, Kojarena, WA
Buyer: Grant & Alana Williams
2
3.9
Iowa
- 7g Galileo (IRE) x Bridal Dance (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: Simon Miller Rdr: Chris Parnham 54
3
4.8
Admiration Express
- 5m My Admiration (AUS) x Comme Ci (AUS) (Verglas (IRE))
Tnr: J F Miller Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 56.5
MM Perth Yearling Sale $60,000
Seller: Namerik Thoroughbreds, Serpentine, WA
Buyer: Jason Miller Racing
4
5.1
Camorra
- 8g Zoffany (IRE) x Mauralakana (FR) (Muhtathir (GB))
Tnr: S V Vahala Rdr: Luke Campbell 59
5
5.2
Another Chino
- 5g Maschino (AUS) x Apheta (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: D L Morton Rdr: B Parnham 55
6
5.8
Red Cadillac
- 7m All Too Hard (AUS) x Sublime Girl (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: P J Fernie Rdr: Natasha Faithfull 54
7
6
Come Right Back
- 8g Toronado (IRE) x Sense Of Purpose (AUS) (Tiger Hill (IRE))
Tnr: A G Durrant Rdr: T Turner 55
8
10.6
Utgard Loki
- 9g Frost Giant (USA) x Twinkle Toes (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: P J Fernie Rdr: Lucy Fiore 54
9
19.1
Magic Will Reign
- 8g Magic Albert (AUS) x Tantra Dancer (AUS) (Hideyoshi (USA))
Tnr: T D Tasker Rdr: Chloe Azzopardi 54
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