Star Turn crowned a big day for Hawkes Racing when he spanked the older horses in Saturday's Group II Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Punters that supported Star Turn into $2.10 favouritism were on good terms with themselves as the three-year-old was poised to challenge three wide around the home turn.
Once Craig Williams gave Star Turn his head, the son of Star Witness accelerated into the lead, going on to score by 2 1/4-lengths over Malaguerra ($9.50 - $17) with Fell Swoop ($6) one length away third.
Having won the Caulfield Guineas earlier in the day with Divine Prophet, Wayne Hawkes, who trains the winner in partnership with father John and brother Michael, said Star Turn had shown his class to beat the older horses.
"It's never easy for the three-year-olds to beat the older horses and he did a really, really good job," Hawkes said.
"Make no mistake about that - he's a boy taking on the men and that's a really good effort."
Hawkes said the Group I Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on Derby Day is the likely next race for Star Turn.
"The Coolmore is the obvious race for him - if you go to the Manikato he will come up against Chautauqua.
"Dad thought this was the right race for him to come in with the weight concession on the way to the Coolmore."
Williams thanked Tommy Berry for giving him insight into Star Turn.
"I spoke to Tommy and he told me the ins and outs of the horse and he was spot on," Williams said.
"He gave me a really good feel - he had the weight advantage but he still had to be a quality colt to handle it.
"He stepped a bit awkward around the bend but he just put them away and won untouched."
