Winner: Star Witness (Starcraft-Leone Chiara)
Race: VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes G1 (1200m)
Sold for: $150,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Alma Vale Stud
Buyer: Danny O’Brien
Earnings: $1,038,200
Owner(s): DT O’Brien, Koundouris Bloodstock Synd, RJ Parkes, T Davis, M Corvo, M Dascarolis, Surace Bloodstock Synd, Laing Racing Synd & Redwebjug Synd
Trainer: Danny O’Brien (Flemington)
Star Witness will clash with sprinting stars Black Caviar and Hay List following his impressive win in today’s $502,500 Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
Trainer Danny O’Brien said the flashy Starcraft colt had earned his chance in the Patinack Farm Classic following his strong win in three-year-old company.
The win was the second at racing’s elite level for Star Witness – following his win in Victoria’s feature juvenile race – the Blue Diamond Stakes – in February.
“We picked a target with him this spring,” O’Brien said. “And it’s pretty important to get it right.”
“He won the Group One as a two-year-old and then we’ve been patient – we left the (Caulfield) Guineas alone and waited for this race and there was a lot riding on today.”
“To have him produce like that today is very satisfying,” he added.
O’Brien said he wasn’t too concerned when rain started falling about an hour before the race.
“Look everyone had to go through it. If you’re a top line horse like him you have to produce rain, hail or shine.”
And O’Brien said the colt could be given his chance on the international scene – with next year’s Royal Ascot Carnival a likely target.
“The whole program was running him at Flemington twice during Cup week if his form warranted it.”
“Obviously we’re going to be up against Black Caviar and Hay List (next Saturday) – but this is a pretty special colt. He’s only had seven starts and won two Group Ones.”
“He’ll be right in the mix next Saturday.”
“He’s a much better straight horse than around the bend. There are some nice straight track options for him – obviously next week, in the autumn and maybe even England next year.”
The strapping colt has turned out an incredible purchase for connections – with part owner and trainer O’Brien going to $150,000 to buy him at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Today his earnings went through the $1 million barrier. His current value as a stallion is many times more.
At the finish of today’s race Star Witness ($4-$5) held a two length margin over the runner-up Curatana ($26-$41), while Shrapnel ($10-$13) was third, another three parts of a length back.
Star Witness is the only runner to date for the former top class sprinting mare Leone Chiara.
A daughter of former top Queensland sire Lion Hunter, Leone Chiara won seven races and earned almost $350,000 prior to heading to the breeding barn.
Leone Chiara is a full sister to the outstanding group winners Chinchilla Rose and Ferocity – the latter a former O’Brien trained runner who won the Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic and is now one of the most promising sires in Queensland.
