STAR MISSION GETS THE "GREEN LIGHT"

TUESDAY: November 22, 2022: PETER Green doesn’t mind taking a punt on progeny of a first season sire with a bit of pedigree.

And when it’s the annual Inglis Scone yearling sale, that’s often the “cream on the cake”.

The Hawkesbury trainer has enjoyed previous success with cheap buys from that sale – and so it proved again today when Star Mission broke through on Newcastle’s Beaumont (inside) track.

Having only her sixth start – and second this preparation – Star Mission ($6) burst to front in the straight in the Maiden Handicap (1350m) against her own sex, and easily held out a determined challenge from runner-up Miss Capella ($4 favorite).

It was Green’s first success of the season, and he became the 17th Hawkesbury trainer to enter the winning list in the first four months of the 2022-23 racing year.

Star Mission (by Group 2 winner and four-times Group 1 placegetter Star Turn) cost only $6000 when sold at the 2020 Scone sale after fetching $25,000 when offered as a weanling the previous year.

“She was a nice solid filly, and we don’t mind taking a punt on a first season sire with a bit of pedigree, and didn’t have to pay a lot to get her,” Green said en route home this evening.

Star Mission is the first foal of the Snitzel mare Circle Game, who was a three-times Canberra winner and was also placed in Sydney.

However, the now four-year-old hasn’t been the easiest to train, hence her light racing career to date.

“Star Mission hasn’t been a good doer, and loses her appetite quickly,” Green explained.

“We didn’t start her as a two-year-old, and stopped when she was losing condition after her first four starts earlier in the year, which included two placings at Kembla Grange.

“There’s no doubt she has some ability, and is holding her condition better so far this time in work.”

Louise Day has partnered Star Mission in all six starts, and Green was thrilled to see the young jockey get the job done today.

“I had never met Louise when she stayed back to ride two horses for me at Warwick Farm barrier trials some time ago,” Green said.

“I never have to ask twice to get her to come out to Hawkesbury and ride a couple of horses work for me.

“She has stayed really solid to our stable.”

Day has not only been associated with Star Mission at all six starts, but in fact has ridden 15 of Green’s last 18 runners, including his last nine in a row.

Green recently culled a number of horses from his team who weren’t shaping up, and currently has only six in work.

“I have a couple more to come in from the paddock, but could certainly do with a few more if any owners are interested in having their horse trained at Hawkesbury,” he said.