The Tara Laing Racing machine powered on at Fairview on Friday with another feature winner. The Var filly Star Burst Galaxy set herself up as a candidate for East Cape Horse Of The Year honours when she won the R150 000 Listed East Cape Breeders Stakes in good style.
Chase Maujean and Star Burst Galaxy are well clear to win the feature (Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)
The Fairview track staff dished up a curved ball on the day with apparent overwatering resulting in the track being heavy on the outside. This despite the official track report posting a 22 penetrometer with an officlal ‘good going’.
But that didn’t stop the beautifully consistent Var 4yo from racking up her fourth win – and second stakes success – in six starts, with a determined display of power galloping under Chase Maujean, who was deputising for Callan Murray.
When she came forward at the 350m marker, Star Burst Galaxy looked set for a runaway win. That is until Aldo Domeyer switched Beataboutthebush out dramatically for a late challenge.
The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight accelerated nicely but ruined her chances by hanging in badly and costing herself valuable ground. She had to be checked late as she found trouble where none really existed. It is possible that, even running dead straight, she would have lacked the toe to beat the Laing star.
At the line, the 4-1 Star Burst Galaxy was too strong and she clocked 69.77 secs for the 1200m to win easily by 1,75 lengths.
Beataboutthebush finished two lengths ahead of Starling Stakes winner Via Seattle, who ran a cracker after a 25 week rest.
Newly relocated from Gauteng, Secret Star stayed on well a further quarter length back in fourth.
Chase Maujean – cool ride on the smart Var filly
Bred by Dr Ian Heyns, who has three horses carrying his flag in the Vodacom Durban July on Saturday week, Star Burst Galaxy is a daughter of Var (Forest Wildcat) out of the three-time winning Doowaley mare, Majestic Star.
She is a half-sister to Vodacom Durban July prospect Star Express.
Star Burst Galaxy was purchased by Mayfair Speculators – she races these days in the Etienne Braun silks – off the 2015 Emperors Palace Select Yearling Sale for R800 000.
This was her 9th win with 13 places from her 24 starts and she has banked R762 675.
Alan Greeff and Greg Cheyne were the most successful combination on the day, winning four races.
