Witchachar Star Stamps His Remarkable Rise in Warrnambool Cup

Mark Smith - Thursday May 5

After winning two of seventeen starts, 6yo gelding Witchachar Star transferred to Chris Hyland, and the transformation has been spectacular.

In seven starts for his new stable, the son of Myboycharlie (IRE) has five wins and two thirds, culminating in a breathtaking success in Thursday’s $300,000 Listed Sungold Milk Warrnambool Cup (2350m).

Witchachar Star in the form of his life (image Brett Holburt/Racing photos)

With the field strung out over 50 lengths on the heavy track, Witchachar Star came with a sweeping run down the centre of the track under Beau Mertens to defeat the well-backed Nerve Not Verve (Shocking) by lone and a quarter lengths with the one-time Melbourne Cup favourite Constantinople (Galileo) a further six lengths back in third.

Advertisement

“He has just kept improving. We aimed low to get his confidence up, but he has exceeded our expectations,” Hyland said.

“His first win at Sandown, he smoked up too early like that, but he was travelling much better than anything.

“When that horse (Nerve Not Verve) came at him in the straight, I was a bit worried, but I think when you watch the replay, he had them covered, and I was worried about nothing.

“I leave it to Beau every time, and he has done a fantastic job.”

Thumbs up from Chris Hyland (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

Witchachar Star advances his record to seven wins, one second and five thirds from 24 starts with earnings of $356,325.

He is the best of two winners from as many to race out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Witchuponastar, a half-sister to Listed winner Spinnawitch (Country Reel), who placed in the Adrian Knox Stakes and Keith F Nolan Classic.

Witchuponastar has a 2yo colt by Hualalai but has had no return for the last two years.

Witchachar Star becomes the 27th stakes winner for former Vinery Stud and Bowness Stud shuttler Myboycharlie (IRE), who now stands at TJK Karacabey Boarding Stud, Turkey. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Sungold Milk Warrnambool Cup LR 2350m

Warrnambool Track: Heavy(10) Time: 2:36.39
1
Witchachar Star
- 6g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Witchuponastar (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C F Hyland Rdr: Beau Mertens 54
2
1.3
Nerve Not Verve
- 6m Shocking (AUS) x Bilancia (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Regan Bayliss 55.5
3
7.3
Constantinople
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x One Moment In Time (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: Aaron Purcell Rdr: Ms L J Meech 54
4
8.7
Queen Takes King
- 5m Charm Spirit (IRE) x Egeria (IRE) (Daylami (IRE))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: Declan Bates 54
5
8.8
Grandslam
- 4g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Mine Game (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jamie Kah 57
6
9.2
Warning
- 5g Declaration Of War (USA) x Livia (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: John Allen 60.5
7
13.2
Maserartie Bay
- 5g Artie Schiller (USA) x Navica (AUS) (Snowland (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Teodore Nugent 54
8
14.7
White Hawk
- 8g Tough Speed (USA) x White Yard (AUS) (Partners Choice (USA))
Tnr: Angela Brakey Rdr: M Ulucinar 54
9
44.7
Angel Rock
- 5m Rock Hero (AUS) x Speed Queen (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: Tom Dabernig Rdr: H Coffey 54
10
50.7
Future Score
- 7g Cape Cross (IRE) x Theola (IRE) (Kalanisi (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Fred W Kersley 55
More Reading...
Aussie 2YO SW for Tivaci
New Zealand-bred colt Matahga stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Miss Joelene Achieves Millionaire Status
This time last year, Miss Joelene was highlighting herself as one to watch for the future, having placed in the Group 2 The Roses and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and after a few runs behind the outstanding Antino (Redwood) this time in, a class drop on Saturday saw her record victory in the $200,000 Listed BRC Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm.
Super Seth 3YO Salutes for Baker
A tenacious front-running performance in Saturday’s A$160,000 Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill added a first city victory to Puntin’s burgeoning record.
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.
Almanzor Stayer wins G3 Tattersalls Cup
It's been a long time since the  2022 Victoria Derby and some may have wondered whether the winner Manzoice was ever going to win again!
Tattersall’s Mile For The Inflictor - Under The Louvre’s Second SW
Third at Listed level before winning at Doomben, the Craig Cousins-trained The Inflictor (Under The Louvre) then tackled the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, and while not in the same league as winner War Wachine (Harry Angel), the 4yo gelding showed his class on Saturday to win the Listed BRC Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Corumbene Stud Homebred Tashi Wins G1 Tatts Tiara
From the last crop of foals sired by Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring, five year-old mare Tashi may also be his final Group I winner as she produced a career best performance at Eagle Farm on Saturday to win the $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m).
Private Eye’s Half-Brother King’s Secret Wins Again
Although he may never reach the heights of his older half-brother Private Eye, a Group 1 winner and earner of more than $12m to date, connections of King’s Secret (Shalaa) are sure to have plenty of their own fun with the 3yo gelding winning at Rosehill on Saturday.