Saturday, 28 November 2009: Former globetrotter Starcraft landed his first Australian winner when Star Witness survived a protest to win on debut over 1000m at Moonee Valley today.
 | Starcraft Photo by Bronwen Healy | |
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The colt is the third Australian runner for Starcraft, a five times G1 winning son of the Nureyev stallion Soviet Star.
He retired to Arrowfield Stud in 2006 and has covered books of 151, 138 and 47 last year. Star Witness is one of 117 live foals from his first crop.
Starcraft's progeny are six months ahead in Europe, where he has been represented by the Listed winner Don't Tell Mary.
Starcraft won 11 races in four countries, highlighted by the Chipping Norton Stakes and AJC Derby in Australia; Mudgway Partsworld Stakes in New Zealand; Prix Du Moulin in France; and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in Great Britain.
His top level wins came at distances from 1400m to 2400m.
Star Witness was sold to trainer Danny O'Brien by Alma Vale Bloodstock at this year's Magic Millions for $150,000.
The chestnut colt is the first foal from Leone Chiara, a Lion Hunter full-relation to G2 winners Ferocity and Chinchilla Rose, who won seven races herself, highlighted by the G3 Irwin and Listed Wylie Stakes in Adelaide.
Since Star Witness, she has produced an Elusive Quality filly and last month a colt by Bernardini.
