Impressive South African Winner for Star Witness

Dual Group I winner Star Witness produced his first winner in South Africa on Saturday when two year-old filly Mella Maria won on debut at Turffontein.

Prepared by Mike Azzie, she skipped away to win the 1000 metre scamper by two and a half lengths.

Mella Maria was a modest Magic Millions National Yearling purchase for her trainer from the Widden Stud draft and is the first foal of Group II placed Keep the Faith mare Sayahailmary.

Widden Stud will offer the current yearling from Sayahailmary, a colt by Sebring, as Lot 158 at the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Sayahailmary also has a filly foal by Stratum and was covered by Sebring again last spring.

Mella Maria is the third winner for Star Witness, who is also the sire of stakes-placed performers Kimberley Star, Serenade and Pearl Star who resumed from a spell to finish third in the Listed SAJC Cinderella Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday.