Precocious 3yo filly Star Martini has been ultra consistent since resuming for her latest campaign with two wins at Northam and three seconds Belmont from five starts since July. The Jim Taylor-trained flyer is unbeaten over 1000m in the Avon Valley winning her maiden in August on a Heavy 9 and a Class 3 on Thursday in The Form Weekly Hcp on a Good 4.
Stable spokesman Lochie Taylor recalled Star Martini had struggled to cope around the Ascot 1000m circuit during her initial 2yo prep last season. “She’s a very quick and the main issue has been restraining her so she could relax. She’s starting to put it together now and the genuine tempo helped today. We’ve kept her fresh between the changeover from Belmont and Ascot and she didn’t miss any work.”
Holly Nottle said the filly’s main asset is that she’s fast. “She jumps, finds her feet and everything worked in our favour. We sat just off the leader (Wiluna Lass) and she cornered easily before finishing it off.”
Star Martini was bred and sold by Mogumber Park’s Colin Brown and Fiona Lacey for $110,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Yearling Sale and she races for a Ladies Syndicate managed by Jim’s wife Tina.
She’s the first foal from the Barb Joseph-trained NSW provincial winner Singing Dixie (Not A Single Doubt) who is a half-sister to HKJC Panasonic Cup winner Flagship Shine (Tale of the Cat) and the dam of Singapore Champion 3YO & 4YO Golden Monkey (Star Turn).
Mogumber Park purchased Singing Dixie through Belmont Bloodstock (as agent) for $60,000 when she was carrying Star Martini at the 2023 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast. She has a 2yo colt from the first crop of Mogumber Park sire Marine One and a yearling filly by Rommel.
Von Rommel completed a Northam double for Mogumber Park on debut in the Procon Development Maiden (1100m). The 4yo son of Rommel settled midfield for Austin Galati and was good enough to change tack and take a rails run in the straight to score by a half-length from Buster’s Babe (So You Think).
Von Rommel firmed from $14 into $10 on the strength of a Lark Hill trial win earlier this month and he looks a nice prospect for trainer Rob Gulberti who bought him from Mogumber Park for $26,0000 at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions.
His dam Hicount (Viscount) foaled Countess Of Kenna (Rogano) first-up and she’s won at Pinjarra and Northam for a Matt Lukatelich-managed syndicate. Hicount also has a 2yo filly by Sessions and a yearling filly by Kermadec.
