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Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan’s sparkling season continued when Starlust timed it right in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar on Saturday.
Barely a month after Beckett and Ryan delivered a devastating strike with Bluestocking in Paris, Starlust provided the same duo with further international top-level honours when flying from the clouds to claim the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar.
Market leader Cogburn looked set to ensure the Grade 1 prize was kept on home soil when brushing aside Archie Watson's Nunthorpe Stakes winner Bradsell, who was rushed up early from his wide draw under Doyle, but those early exertions quickly told, and the closers swept on by in the straight.
The South African raider Isivunguvungu picked up strongly to strike the front, but his time at the head of affairs was short-lived, as Starlust burst from the clouds under Rossa Ryan to take up proceedings close home.
Motorious stayed on strongly to fill the runner-up spot, with AG Bullet back in third.
Winning connections had to endure a nervy period after watching their star sprinter steal the show, with Isivunguvungu's rider Manny Franco objecting against the winner for interference.
However, after a five-minute wait, the stewards' confirmed the result.
"What a ride he gave it," said Beckett of the 20/1 winner. "I said just before he left the paddock, 'Don't be afraid to go burrowing along the rail, because they will fan out. It's extraordinary and I'm really pleased for [owners] Jim and Fitri Hay who are big supporters of the game."
"He's a really tough horse who has stormed through. He's really tough, he hasn't had a break all year.
"He's a horse who kind of trains himself. He treated Dubai as a holiday because we couldn't get him to do what we wanted, but he ran well in the Juvenile Turf Sprint last year and we felt if he could stay on their coattails today, he could benefit."
Beckett admitted he was concerned regarding the stewards' enquiry. "Flashbacks to Secret Gesture who was taken down in the Beverly D Stakes in 2015. I was concerned because they operate under different rules, but I was glad to get the job done," explained the Kipton Downs handler.
Ryan said: "It wasn't the plan, Ralph left it up to me. I jumped well, Ralph said over five try to jump well but after half a furlong take a little pull. Luck was on my side today, the gap opened, and he took it well.
"By the top of the straight, I thought we would be in the first four, but they couldn't hold that frenetic gallop and it just played into my hands."
The George Boughey-trained filly Believing was withdrawn at the stalls after unseating Ryan Moore.