Star Turn has been backed into 2016 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes odds of $9.50 and there has been an avalanche of support for the talented colt ahead of the Group 1 event at Caulfield this weekend.
Star Turn has been a clear market mover in 2016 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Steve Hart
Star Turn opened at a quote of $17 when the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes field was released earlier in the week, but the son of Star Witness has been easily the best-backed runner in the $1.5 million race and there was big money for the juvenile at $17, $14 and $12.
Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes was happy with the performance of Star Turn when he finished a close second behind Flying Artie in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield on February 13 and he told RSN that the two-year-old will be more than competitive in the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes tomorrow.
“He is really good and he has done everything right,” Hawkes said.
“He runs second to that horse and only gets beaten by a short distance, but one is $4 and one is $14.
“He has done well and he has done everything right.
“He had never actually been to Melbourne before and when horses have their first start away from home they always improve and they can jump out of the ground.
“He needs to because it is a Blue Diamond – it is a proper horses race – and he needs to bring his A-game, but if he can bring his A-game he will be right there.”
Star Turn made his racing debut with a third place finish behind Conchita and Zafina in the Antler Luggage Kirkham Plate (1000m) at Royal Randwick on October 10 and he showed plenty of toughness to record a strong win in the Pierro Plate (1100m) at Royal Randwick on October 24.
Team Hawkes elected to send Star Turn to the spelling paddock following his win in the Pierro Plate, but he showed that he was ready for a return to racing when he scored an impressive barrier trial win over 800 metres at Warwick Farm on January 25 before his gutsy Blue Diamond Prelude performance.
Star Turn is now available at 2016 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes odds of $9.50 and he is on the fifth line of betting behind the undefeated Extreme Choice ($3), Blue Diamond Prelude winner Flying Artie ($5), Tony McEvoy-trained Concealer ($6) and classy filly Samara Dancer ($6.50).
