American Star wins on debut in Adelaide

Pictured: Third-crop sire All American parades before a large crowd at Arrowfield at the Stud's 2015 Stallion Open House. (PHOTO: Bronwen Healy)

Third season sire All American unveiled a sharp new talent on Saturday when 3YO gelding American Star led all the way over 1000 metres on debut at Morphettville.

Jumping from gate nine, jockey Shayne Cahill sent American Star forward to cross the field and find the lead. He settled well in front and Cahill let him roll along easily for 150 metres until the field began to close on him.

Racing very much in the manner of his sire, American Star hit top gear on the home turn and skipped clear to record a comfortable win, 2.5 lengths ahead of Captain Parker.

The merit of American Star's performance was confirmed by his 33.95 last 600m, on his way to an overall time of 57.81. That was more than half a second faster than the time posted by the smart Victorian sprinter Bullpit when winning over the same distance later in the day.

American Star was a $12,000 purchase by his trainer Mark Minervini from the 2014 Magic Millions Adelaide Sale, where he was consigned by Cornerstone Stud on behalf of Arrowfield.

He is the third winner out of Special Sweep (by End Sweep), a daughter of champion sprinter Special who resided at Arrowfield for most of her life until her death in March 2013.  An early daughter of Special Sweep, Distinctive Lass, has already left the multiple stakeswinner Kuro.

Among the other six winners by All American in the first weeks of the 2015/16 season are Planet America, who has won twice in Queensland for Bryan Guy, and The States, a winner on debut at Geelong for the Hawkes stable.