Talented sprinter Silent Is Gold (Star Turn) collected his first victory on New Zealand soil at Wanganui on Sunday with a powerful display in the Fraser Auret Racing Open Handicap (1350m).
The son of Star Turn was among a handful of horses that travelled to New Zealand upon Stephen Gray’s return from Singapore, and with him came good credentials, with seven wins and multiple Group Three placings to his record.
Since arriving, Silent Is Gold has performed solidly with three runner-up finishes in six starts and ran creditably in each of the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) and Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m).
Back in open grade, Silent Is Gold was well-fancied in the five-horse contest, which featured stakes winners Belardo Boy, Bradman and Chantilly Lace, as well as up and coming sprinter Ima Brazen One. Typically the pacemaker, Ima Brazen One stepped slowly from the gates but soon sped up to find her customary role, while Silent Is Gold settled in her trail.
Mereana Hudson attempted to slow the tempo aboard the leader, while Craig Grylls angled off the fence on Silent Is Gold and the big gelding was cruising into the home turn. Coming down the centre of the track, Silent Is Gold hit the lead and pinned his ears back, putting away the field comfortably to score by 2 – ¼ lengths.
Ima Brazen One stuck on bravely in second, while the flashing light was on the resuming Belardo Boy, storming into third despite carrying a clear topweight.
Gray, who trains in partnership with his father Kevin, was rapt to see Silent Is Gold complete his campaign on a winning note.
“It was good, it was the right race for him on a good track, which is what he wants,” he said.
“A few had dropped away and he was well-handicapped, so we found the race he needed to win and it’s awesome that he did. He’s been going really well, he had some good seconds earlier on then just ran in behind them in the bigger races.
“It’s good to get him back from Singapore and winning, we’ll probably turn him out now and get him ready for the spring. I think he’ll come back much better, he’s done it all in one campaign while acclimatising as well.
“For him, he’s a pretty happy horse and I’ve been pleased with how he’s been running, he’s just a grade below the best. They’ve been happy horses and done well, and at the end of the day, the owner of Silent Is Gold did a great thing sending him here and giving him another life.
“It’s great, it’s a big thrill and we’re so happy to see him win.”
In 32 appearances, Silent Is Gold has won eight races and placed on a further 11 occasions. Sunday’s victory boosted his earnings above $560,000, as a horse that was purchased for just $50,000 through an Inglis Online Sale in 2021.
Bred by Serene Lodge, he is raced by Stephen and Bridget Gray alongside Chin Hien Tan.
