Bellatrix Star Keeps Winning Run Going in Scarborough Stakes

Mark Smith - Friday September 27

Since winning the opening two-year-old race of the season in New Zealand a year ago, the Star Witness filly Bellatrix Star has been a model of consistency.

Bellatrix Star too good (image Grant Courtney)

The Group II Eclipse Stakes winner at Pukekohe Park on New Year's Day, Bellatrix Star was a troubled fifth behind Drifting at her Australian debut in the Group II Quzette Stakes at Caulfield.

At her most recent start, the Mark Walker-trained filly captured the Listed Cap D'antibes Stakes on a soft track at Flemington.

Advertisement

She faced a similar field in Friday night's Group III Ladbrokes Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. Under a peach from Michael Dee, Bellatrix Star Star disposed of her rivals with a minimum of fuss, defeating the Tassie star Geegees Mistruth (Wordsmith) by three-quarters of a length with Tobeornottobe (Pierata) one and a half lengths back in third.

The 3-year-old daughter of Star Witness advances her record to four wins, a second, and a thirds from eight starts with earnings of $419,300.

"It's a massive confidence booster that she can do it on good and soft tracks," stable representative Ben Gleeson said.

"She won dominantly last start, but for her to put that field away again and improve and show that she is up to a better level. It's a good boost for us.

That's a third stakes win for the Star Witness filly (image Grant Courtney)

"Mark and I both thought she'd improved in her condition and her work at home being exceptional. Mick gave her a 10 out of 10 ride. He put her in the box seat, and she just showed her class."

 "(Owner) John (Galvin), for what he spends on horses, does an amazing job. He finds a great syndicate of people and consistently buys a very good horse, whether it's in New Zealand or here. Every year, you see Fortuna turn up with a good set of silks on a nice horse. So I'm really pleased for John Galvin, a massive supporter."

Bellatrix Star was an $80,000 buy for Te Akau principal David Ellis out of Phoenix Park's 2023 New Zealand Book 1 Sale draft on behalf of Fortuna Syndications.

Bred by Rob Dunnett, she was foaled and raised at Seymour Park in Victoria and is the best of two winners from Alana's Party, a half-sister by Exceed and Excel to Group III placed Petition from Group I winner The Party Stand.

Bellatrix Star an $80,000 Karaka yearling

Alana's Party was a $17,000 purchase for Mark Pilkington Management at the 2021 Magic Million National Broodmare Sale when carrying Bellatrix Star.

Unsurprisingly, David Ellis shelled out $280,000 for Alana's Party's Royal Meeting (IRE) colt consigned by Newhaven Park to the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Named Royal Rendezvous, he is in training with Mark Walker.

Alana's Party has a yearling colt by Nicconi and missed last year. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Scarborough Stakes Gr3 1200m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.41
1
Bellatrix Star
- 3f Star Witness (AUS) x Alana's Party (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: M J Dee 56
Star Witness
NZB Karaka Book 1 $80,000
Seller: Phoenix Park
Buyer: Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) / Fortuna Racing
2
0.8
Geegees Mistruth
- 3f Wordsmith (AUS) x Miss Mana (AUS) (Jetball (AUS))
Tnr: S Gandy Rdr: B Melham 56
3
2.3
Tobeornottobe
- 3f Pierata (AUS) x Shakespearean Lass (AUS) (Written Tycoon (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: L Nolen 56
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $200,000
Seller: Widden Stud, Riddells Creek
Buyer: Griffiths de Kock Racing / Peter Ford Thoroughbreds (FBAA)
4
2.7
Zeitung
- 3f Exceed And Excel (AUS) x News Story (IRE) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Jamie Kah 56
5
2.8
Matisse
- 3f Microphone (AUS) x Sanadaat (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Tommy Berry 56
6
3.6
Another Prophet
- 3f Brazen Beau (AUS) x Set To Skelter (AUS) (Reset (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Ethan Brown 56
7
3.7
Bold Bastille
- 3f Brazen Beau (AUS) x Chloe In Paris (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: M Zahra 56
8
4.9
Benagil
- 3f Manhattan Rain (AUS) x Des Moines (AUS) (War (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson Rdr: B Shinn 56
9
5.1
In Her Eyes
- 3f Star Witness (AUS) x Love Spy (AUS) (Love Conquers All (AUS))
Tnr: L & T Corstens & W Larkin Rdr: Ben Allen 56
10
5.5
Sassy Jenni
- 3f Shalaa (IRE) x Sheer Style (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: Declan Bates 56
11
6.2
Chateau Miraval
- 3f Zousain (AUS) x Sheila's Star (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Jye McNeil 56
More Reading...
Verry Exciting Weekend Looms
New Zealand horseman Nicholas Bishara will cross the Tasman this weekend to watch his filly Belle Detelle, a three-quarter sister to his ill-fated 11-time Group One Verry Elleegant, contest the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m).
Juvenile Trial Watch - Rosehill
Trials this morning at Rosehill were run on a heavy 9 so horses were well held together and not asked for too much, but there were still a couple of intriguing unraced heat winners by Extreme Choice and Justify (USA), plus we got another look at the $1.4million Wootton Bassett (GB) colt from Sunlight.
Star Witness Filly Wins First Kiwi Juvenile of Season
Te Akau Racing unveiled yet another exciting juvenile at Wanganui on Saturday, with Star Witness filly Bellatrix Star taking out the opening two-year-old race of the season, the Whanganui Chronicle Maiden 2YO (800m).
Sires Pack Profitable Punch at Weanling Sale
There are many members of New Zealand’s stallion ranks whose progenies racetrack results far exceed their service fee.  Next month’s NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka is an ideal opportunity for traders and end users to secure the progeny of these creditable sires.
Sires With Winners - Thursday May 29
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Investing in Fillies Can Pay Big Dividends
We saw it earlier this month at Inglis Chairman’s Sale and we saw it again this week, purchasing yearling fillies that can perform to a high level has the potential to yield a big pay day in the sale ring, so let’s take a closer look.
Bellatrix Star to take on Older Sprinters
New Zealand syndicator Fortuna’s silks have been to the fore during Melbourne Cup Week through the deeds of Melody Belle, and they are hoping they can feature prominently once more through their rising star Bellatrix Star, a daughter of Widden Victoria's Star Witness.
Star Filly Wins G2 Schillaci
The Mark Walker-trained Bellatrix Star has continued her stunning run of form with an impressive victory in the Group II MRC Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday becoming the first three year-old filly in more than 20 years to win the race against older sprinters.
Debut Winner for King’s Legacy
King’s Legacy posted a seventh first crop winner on Friday with a fast finishing debut victory at Goulburn for talented gelding Nothing But Net.
Expensive Ghaiyyath Colt Wins Stakes
Darley shuttler Ghaiyyath (IRE) had his first Australian winner earlier this week and overnight produced a new stakes-winner in the UK where Godolphin owned colt Opera Ballo won the Listed Heron Stakes (1m)at Sandown.