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.

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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. 

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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
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