Bright Future for Star Witness 3YO

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday August 7
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.

Captain Stardust as a yearling

Captain Stardust as a yearling

Placed at his first three starts in the past two months, Captain Stardust was a fit horse going into this 1580 metre maiden and produced a strong staying effort for Tommy Berry to score a length and a half win.

"He's been really unlucky and I said to Tommy today, 'Just don't be unlucky!'" said Mark Newnham.

"He was very fit for today having had his previous run over a mile and I think he'll be even better over a bit further. I know hels by Star Witness, but he's very stoutly bred on his dam's side and I think he's on track to make a pretty decent horse."

A modest $40,000 Inglis Classic purchase for Tricolours Racing and Syndications from the Newhaven Park draft, Captain Stardust is the second winner from unraced Zabeel mare Askari, whose next dam is by Sadler's Wells.

Askari traces to the Grand Luxe branch of the Fanfreluche family that has produced champion Australian sires Encosta de Lago and Flying Spur with more recent Australian Group I winners from this family including I am a Star and Pear Tart.

Askari was bought by Yulong Investments for $110,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and produced a colt by Zoustar for them last year and is in foal to Pariah.

Given the depth of his female pedigree, Captain Stardust looms as a bright prospect as his three year-old season unfolds.

He is the first metropolitan winner of the new season for Widden Stud's prolific sire of winner Star Witness who stands at a fee of $27,500 this spring.


Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
National Pony Racing Series Final Results
Thoroughbred Industry Careers have announced winenrs and place-getters from the National Pony Racing Series Final at the Gold Coast last week.
Pinhooking Aplenty at NZB’s National Weanling Sale
NZB’s dedicated National Weanling Sale, set to be held Thursday 26 June, is a prime opportunity for astute judges to purchase their next lucrative pinhooking investment.
Magic Team Boosted by Appointment of Annie O'Rourke
Leading Australian Thoroughbred auctioneer Magic Millions is delighted to announce the appointment of Annie O'Rourke to bolster its impressive team. 
Breeding to Win - 2025 G1 Stradbroke Handicap
It's Queensland's greatest race and just like Australia's other famous handicaps “The Straddie” holds a special place in the punters heart with a couple of wily old warriors at the top of the weights and mixed formlines making for intrigue aplenty as we search for the winner!
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.
Dual-Code Vendor McKay Gears Up For Weanling Sales
The thoroughbred and standardbred communities will converge on Karaka for the National Weanling Sale and National Standardbred Weanling Sale on Thursday 26 June, and vendor Ross McKay has horses in both catalogues.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 12
Here is the full list of 34 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$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.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
There was a busy set of trials at Randwick on Friday with eight heats won by juveniles including a couple of unraced youngsters by first season sires Farnan and Anders.