The Team Hawkes-trained Star Turn (Aus) (Star Witness {Aus}) has displayed considerable talent in the Australian sprinting ranks, and the 3-year-old will look to build on three placed performances at the highest level when he lines up in Friday night's G1 William Reid S. under the lights at Moonee Valley. The chestnut campaigned by Alan Bell and Vinery Stud first turned heads when besting a field that included 2-year-old champion Capitalist (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) in last season's G3 San Domenico S., and he has been third in his last three trips to the post: the G1 Coolmore Stud S. in October and this season's G1 Lightning S. and G1 Newmarket H. Star Turn is drawn favourably in three and as the only 3-year-old in the lineup, enjoys a considerable weight break of up to six pounds.
Sure to make his task difficult will be the 5-year-old mare Sheidel (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), winner of the G1 Oakleigh Plate first up. She finished one spot behind Star Turn in the Newmarket but is a consistent performer who should do well racing forwardly.
Savvy trainer Darren Weir sends out Hellbent (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), who was fourth behind Sheidel in the Oakleigh Plate. He filled the same position in the G2 Rubiton S. first-up and owns a win over this trip. Hellbent has been running with consistency and goes into this well-seasoned fourth up.
Rock Magic (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) is one that could surprise at a bit of a price. The 7-year-old gelding ships in from Perth, where he finished third in the G1 Winterbottom S. on Nov. 26. While he races first up, he prepped for this with a win in a Belmont barrier trial on Mar. 7.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
