Peters Investments homebred Startling Star won against the odds at Belmont on Wednesday after emerging from a pocket late in the straight for Irish apprentice Amy Jo Hayes.
Stewards reported Startling Star was impeded for clear running until steadied outwards across the heels of Old Mate Henry (My Admiration) who was given a perfect ride by Willie Pike. The lightly-raced mare then clicked into another gear to defeat the even-money favourite in the TABtouch Maiden (1650m).
“Amy is a very strong rider and it’s not often they get past William in a finish,” owner-breeder Bob Peters said. “She’s certainly well-bred and I think around a mile will probably be her best distance.”
Startling Star is bred on the Pierro – Redoute’s Choice that has generated Group 1 Kingston Town Classic winners Arcadia Queen and Regal Power for Peters Investments. Her dam Galaxy Star won five Group events to the elite level in the 2018 Railway Stakes (1600m) and she has been based in New Zealand since 2022.
Galaxy Star’s Kiwi foals include unraced 3yo Pressurised (Pierro) who was placed in a Lark Hill trial in July. Her 2yo is a colt by Ocean Park named Galaxy Wave and her yearling filly is also by the Champion Waikato Stud stallion.
“She was caught wide last time and was brave again today,” Hayes reported. “They told me to follow Willie but there was no sign of him until he squeezed me up around the home turn. I just had to hold on and sit tight and when the gap opened, she hit the line hard.”
Startling Star kicked off another successful week for the cerise and white colour-bearers with Pearl King (4h Zoustar – Mikimoto by Sebring) an odds-on winner of the Family Fun Day Maiden (1400m) at Bunbury on Thursday.
A short-priced double followed at Belmont on Saturday. Antique Star notched her third win for the Pierro – Redoute’s Choice combination before Cosmic Crusader (5g Maurice – Cosmic Storm by Street Sense) won as he liked for Pike in the MCA Polytrack Hcp (1400m).
