Star Witness Colt to Run in The Everest

Tara Madgwick - Monday October 1
Brilliant three year-old Star Witness colt Graff has been selected by Max Whitby and Neil Werrett to fill their slot for the $13million the Everest at Randwick on October 13.

GraffPrepared by Kris Lees Star, Graff has only stepped out five times winning his first three starts before being far from disgraced when second in the Group II ATC Run To The Rose behind Lean Mean Machine and was then a brave third to The Autumn sun in the ATC Golden Rose over 1400 metres.

Lees believes the drop back to 1200 metres will be ideal for Graff.

"There was some talk pre Golden Rose that he was one of the horses in contention for an Everest slot, and we had someone ring, so I've always had that in mind with my training of him," Lees told Racenet.

"Straight after the Golden Rose we started thinking that more than likely he gets an Everest slot so we gave him a few easy days out at our farm on the water walker.

"He will freshen up extremely well and the drop back to 1200m is absolutely ideal for him.

"He's got 53kg in The Everest and he's a big strong colt.

"Go and look at his sectionals on every day he has raced, he has been amongst the top sectionals on every day.

"So I think that is a very good indicator that he will give The Everest a big shake."

The budding star sprinter is owned by Alan Bell who has raced numerous outstanding gallopers, not the least of which being champion sprinter Schillaci and he snapped up the impressive Graff for $200,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Yearling Sale from the draft of Widden Stud.

Already the winner of $352,000 in prizemoney Graff is now in line for a possible $6m payday if he can beat the older sprinters to claim The Everest first prize.


Advertisment
More Reading...
$320,000 for Melbourne Cup Half-Sister
Widden Stud had the honour of offering the half-sister by Star Witness to Melbourne Cup winner Vow and Declare at the Magic Millions on Thursday for her owners Paul Lanskey and Helga Hueston and got a great result when she fetched $320,000.
No Everest for Sunshine in Paris - Retired to Stud
Disappointing news from Annabel and Rob Archibald on Tuesday with an announcement that the stable’s star sprinter Sunshine in Paris has sustained an injury in trackwork and will be  retired.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 25
Here is the full list of 12 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Darby Racing Finally Celebrate Exceed the Stars
The two year-old colts and geldings maiden at Canterbury on Wednesday produced a deserved victory for Star Witness youngster Exceed the Stars, but there was a tale of woe from the second place-getter, the heavily backed favourite Mandela.
Well Bred Zousain Debut Winner
A full sister to Zousain’s Group III winning filly Drifting, Cheeky Contiki made a winning debut at Pakenham on Monday for the Lindsay Park Racing team.
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.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday August 26
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Spring Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
There was an interesting set of trials at Hawkesbury on Monday that featured heat winners including Golden Slipper winner Marhoona, Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker as well as the Waterhouse Bott stable Cups contenders Sir Delius (GB) and Vauban (FR), plus we may have seen an Everest horse.
Commemorative Retired to Stud
Watching the progress of Godolphin horses as they start stepping our for their new trainers has been interesting to say the least and will get more so this weekend when we see Tom Kitten go around in the Group I MRC Memsie Stakes at Caulfield, but one horse we won’t be seeing again is Commemorative.
Spring Plans for El Vencedor
New Zealand’s top-rated performer El Vencedor will contest all three legs of the spring Triple Crown series.