Star Witness 3YO Keeps Winning Run Going for Te Akau

Media Release - Sunday February 2

The winning roll of Te Akau Racing continued unabated on their home track at Matamata on Sunday when exciting prospect Phantom Witness provided an early highlight for the day when making it two wins in as many starts.

Phantom Witness - Race Images Kenton WrightThe Star Witness three-year-old, who was purchased for $60,000 by David Ellis from the Lyndhurst Farm draft at the 2018 Ready To Run Sale at Karaka, had looked a handy type when winning impressively over 1200m at the venue in early January.

A tendency to race greenly in the closing stages that day after making all the pace saw trainer Jamie Richards instruct rider Opie Bosson to take a sit this time after the horse drew a wide barrier for the rating 65 1200m contest.

Bosson followed the instructions to the letter as he sat back in midfield off a hot tempo before making his claim early in the run home. Phantom Witness showed his class as he raced to the front inside the final 200m, drawing away to win comfortably by half a length from Virtuoso Lad who had tracked him into the straight.

“He’s a progressive sort of horse and another example of the type of horse we try to buy from the Ready To Run sale,” Richards said.

“With a bit of patience, he’s getting there now, but I did say to Opie that we might have to forgive one (win) to teach him to settle a bit.

“He was good enough to sit back, sit wide, quicken and win well.

“He can have a think about things and is wearing a fair bit of gear but I think we’ve got him worked out now and he looks like he will be up to a better class.”

Advertisement

Bosson was suitably impressed with the performance after the horse had over-raced at his debut run.

“The idea was to get him to settle today as he just went far too hard last time,” he said.

“He tried to go a little bit too hard again but once he came back underneath me, he showed a really good turn of foot once I let him go.

“He’s getting better, more settled around at the start and I think he’s got a bit of a future.”

Phantom Witness is the second foal of Rock Of Gibraltar mare Fandom and is closely related to multiple stakes winner and now successful stallion, Casino Prince. - NZ RAcing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Super Liquor Matamata (Bm65) 1200m

Matamata Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:11.28
1
Phantom Witness
- 3g Star Witness (AUS) x Fandom (AUS) (Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: O P Bosson 58.5
2
0.4
Virtuoso Lad
- 6g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Lara's Song (AUS) (Singspiel (IRE))
Tnr: Ms K Fursdon Rdr: T N Harris 59.5
3
1.9
Glorious Ocean
- 4m Ocean Park (NZ) x Que Sera (NZ) (Daggers Drawn (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: D S Johnson 56
4
2.9
Laurant
- 4m Ocean Park (NZ) x Petit Verdot (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: S T Collett 55
5
3.0
Eridani
- 4m Makfi (GB) x Gould (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: T Yanagida 55
6
4.5
Shoshone
- 3f Sacred Falls (NZ) x Dee I Why (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: K & B Kelso Rdr: C E Lammas 56.5
7
4.6
Mannie's Power
- 7m Man Of Power (AUS) x Miss Strategy (NZ) (Strategic Image (AUS))
Tnr: R S Manning Rdr: A J Calder 57
8
4.8
Roc Cha
- 3f El Roca (AUS) x Cullcha (NZ) (Cullen (AUS))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: A C Goindasamy 54.5
9
7.1
Duck Road
- 4g Ekraar (USA) x Silver Buttons (NZ) (Victory Dance (IRE))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: M J Mc Nab 57.5
More Reading...
Cosmic Fire a New SW for Cosmic Force
Sunshine Coast trainer Billy Healey was thrilled to have a stakes-winner on a big carnival day at Eagle Farm with his talented Cosmic Force three year-old gelding Cosmic Fire soaring to new heights when taking out the $200,000 Listed BRC Queensland Day Stakes (1200m).
Inglis Easter Segenhoe Stakes Double
Outstanding mare Joliestar (Zoustar) secured a third career G1 win with a staggering come-from-behind victory in today’s Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 7
Here is the full list of 123 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another Day, Another Stakes-Winner for Wootton Bassett
A homebred for Marc Chan, quality Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Green Impact closed out his juvenile season winning the Group II Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown and he bounced back into the winner’s list at the same venue overnight.
Successive Stakes Wins For Flying Artie’s In Flight
With all her wins being on soft and heavy rated tracks, trainer Joe Pride has chased the rain of late with 4yo Flyng Artie mare In Flight winning the Listed BRC Bright Shadow Stakes last time out at Doomben, before scoring a late dive victory at Randwick on Saturday in the Listed ATC Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m).
2025 Group I Belmont Stakes - Godolphin Celebrate Victory in Triple Crown Finale
Back in May, Godolphin had a rare magical 48 hours when they won the Group I Newmarket 1000 and 2000 Guineas, plus the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks with all four of those star three year-olds scheduled to race over the last 48 hours – so how did they fare?
Third Generation Epsom Derby Hero for Coolmore
The Group I Epsom Derby (1m4f) was the big highlight overnight in the UK and the scratching of Godolphin owned favourite Ruling Court due to track condition meant it was an open affair with the second string horse from Ballydoyle in Lambourn coming up trumps and also bringing joy for the Aussie offshoot of his family.
North Pacific 2YO Ready to Win
Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole will head to Ellerslie with a quartet of runners on Saturday, and he is particularly upbeat about the chances of Pacific Breeze in the Network Visuals 1200.
Spritely 7YO Wins G3 Hyperion - 'Loved Again' Does the Trick!
Group One winner Western Empire (Iffraaj) is back in the winner's circle after a frustrating start to this campaign and is now a $3million earner!
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 8
Here is the full list of 70 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.