Star Witness Gives Weir Last Stakes Race of the Year

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday December 26
Champion trainer Darren Weir won the last stakes race in Victoria for 2017 with talented Star Witness gelding Stellar Collision.

Stellar Collision - Grant CourtneyThe five year-old had been mixing his form since winning the $80,000 Apache Cat Handicap at Cranbourne in March, but found his best form at his second run back from a spell in the Listed MRC Christmas Stakes.

He settled fourth for Dean Yendall and hit the line hard to win the 1200 metre sprint by a half neck.

''I know he has the ability but he's been struggling to put it together, although there have been some excuses at his past few,'' Weir said.

"But on his best form, he gets along pretty good.''

Weir indicated Stellar Collision might be given the chance to prove himself a lightweight hope in the $1 million Goodwood in Adelaide in May.

Not offered at auction, Stellar Collision has now won seven of 20 starts and over $326,000 in prizemoney and is the 12th stakes-winner for his sire Star Witness.

Star WitnessHe is the first winner for well-bred More Than Ready (USA) mare What an Impact, who comes from the family of Group II winner Elegant Fashion and her Group III winning daughter Star Fashion.

Further back the family traces to celebrated matriarch Highclere, whose many Group I winning descendants include the likes of Nashwan, Nayef, champion Japanese sire Deep Impact and imported Australian Group I winner My Kingdom of Fife.

What an Impact was one of 220 mares covered in 2016 by Star Witness and produced a filly this spring.

Widden Stud's Star Witness has big representation at upcoming sales with 22 at Magic Millions, 29 at Inglis Classic and 7 for Inglis Premier.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Fifth Winner For Hanseatic As Audio Pop Cam Wins
With four jumpouts under her belt, winning the last three, Tony and Calvin McEvoy's Hanseatic filly Audio Pop Cam was too good for her rivals, starting favourite to win the Unox Casa Maiden Plate (1100m) at Pakenham with ease.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
This will be the last Juvenile Trial Watch story for this season with all these youngsters to turn three on Friday and there was plenty of action with eight heats won by 2YOs and two more of this season’s G3 2YO’s North England and Memo stepping out against the older G1 stars.
Consecutive Wins For Lucky Vega’s I’m Lucky Two
Off the back of an impressive two length victory over 1000m at Toowoomba at the end of June, the month between runs didn’t pose any issues as the Michael Nolan trained Lucky Vega (IRE) gelding I’m Lucky Two stepped out over 870m to win once again.
Beaufort Downs Celebrate Stakes Success with Platinum Diamond
A pedigree close to the hearts of Beaufort Downs has added another black-type strike to the North Canterbury farm’s roll of honour.
Savabeel Stakes-Winner in the Making
A patient approach with Force Of Nature is being rewarded in spades, with the son of Savabeel winning his way toward black-type assignments.
Bright Future for Star Witness 3YO
Astute trainer Mark Newnham is tipping a bright future for progressive Star Witness three year-old Captain Stardust, who cast off maiden status with a bold win at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Steve Davis Awarded NZTBA Personality of the Year
Bloodstock auctioneer and media personality Steve Davis has been honoured as the 2025 NZTBA Personality of the Year, in recognition of a lifetime of contribution to the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry.
Closer Look at Written Tycoon – The Golden Crop Delivers
The sun might be setting on the stud career of Written Tycoon, but he’s not going into the twilight years quietly and is set to be crowned Champion Australian 3YO Sire this season, which is probably something predicted by many when he got the opportunity of a lifetime to cover at Arrowfield Stud for one season in 2020.
Star Witness Colt Takes Aim at Magic Millions
It was an action packed juvenile maiden at Rosehill on Wednesday with race favourite Blondeau appearing set for victory before Star Witness colt Aim unleashed a sizzling burst to claim an eye-catching debut victory.
Waikato Stud claim 11th Breeder of the Year title
Another year of New Zealand thoroughbred breeding excellence was celebrated on Saturday night at the Property Brokers National Breeding Awards at Karapiro, with powerhouse breeders Waikato Stud claiming top honours.