Date posted February 21, 2010 | Posted by Michele Cullen | Filed under
Racing and Breeding,
StarcraftMelbourne, Vic (Feb 21st, 2010) - Star Witness came from last to claim Victoria’s top event for juveniles the Group I Blue Diamond at Caulfield and in doing so gave the sponsor, Arrowfield, a trifecta for the stud’s stallions.
Star Witness lined up in the million dollar dash with two impressive victories behind him after a solid debut victory at Moonee Valley which followed on with another impressive win in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m SWP) at Flemington.
On Saturday, the chestnut jumped from a wide gate (15) and settled well back as Crystal Lily crossed the face of the field to take up the running from Spirit Cent, with General Truce and Shaaheq settling just behind them.
As they cornered Shaaheq edged out to go after the daughter of Stratum and she burst clear inside the 250m. Just as it looked Shaaheq (Redoute’s Choice - Damaschino by Last Tycoon), was about to break her maiden status in the group one event, had the race within her keeping she began to tire at the 100m.
Star Witness storms home to win the Group I Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m)
Silent Witness stormed home down the outside to grab Shaaheq in the last couple of bounds and keep his perfect record intact in the million dollar event.
The race favourite, Beneteau (Redoute’s Choice - Slice of Paradise by Encosta de Lago) was dragged back in the field by his inexperienced rider. But he also raced as though he was feeling the ground with his head cocked to the left hand-side, the brown colt tired hard and took third prizemoney another half-neck away.
Trained at Flemington by Dan O’Brien who told TVN’s Bruce Clark, “It’s very exciting - not much went right for him,”
“He wobbled on the corner and was virtually last when they straightened.”
“Nick (Hall, winning rider) was confident. The last thing he said to us was - I’ll get back, then pull him out to the outside and just win”
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in this colt,”.
“He does things that only top class horses can do.”
“Even when he was so far off them I knew he could finish off - I know what sort of sectionals he can finish.”
“I think he’s better than just the average two-year-old who can win the Blue Diamond. Hopefully we’ve got a very exciting horse to race on next year.”
“He’s well above average. I think he’s a colt with a huge future,” he added
O’Brien has ruled out a trip to Sydney to contest the Group I Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill in April.
“He’s not even entered. If he runs again it will be in the (VRC) Sires’ Produce Stakes and then he’ll be going to the paddock and I’ll set him for the spring.”
At the post Star Witness had a half-neck too spare over Shaaheq.
O’Brien trained Star Witness’ dam Leone Chiara during her career along with other members of the family.
“We’ve had a lot of success with the family. Her (Leone Chiara, dam) full brother Ferocity won the Ascot Vale Stakes and this bloke looks like being the best of the lot.”
The group one win is a great result for renowned Queensland breeder Ken Turner from Alma Vale Bloodstock as Star Witness is the first named foal of Leone Chiara (by Lion Hunter).
Amongst the seven wins on Leone Chiara’s resume are the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes and the Listed WH Wylie Handicap, both run in South Australia. She is also a sister to the dual Group 2 winning Chinchilla Rose and the Group 2 Ascot Vale Stakes winner and young sire, Ferocity (Lion Hunter).
Ferocity stands at Oaklands Stud in Queensland.
Leone Chiara’s yearling filly by Elusive Quality recently sold for $40,000 at the 2010 Magic Millions yearling sale at the Gold Coast.
At the forthcoming Inglis Premier yearling sale (March 1st - 4th) Starcraft will be represented by 17 second crop yearlings at the Oaklands Junction complex and in April at Inglis Easter yearling sale (April 6-8th) another 12 yearlings by the tall chestnut have been catalogued for sale.
In 2009, Starcraft’s yearlings sold from $450,000 (bay filly from Private Steer) and $350,000 (chestnut colt from Ducks). While in 2010 his stock top stock have made $360,000 (b c from Chickens) and $340,000 (b f Belle Bizarre).
