Star Witness 2YO Wins Clarendon Stakes

Well known Sydney owner Alan Bell enjoyed plenty of success racing Star Witness’s brilliant son Star Turn and was back in the winner’s circle with another of his progeny at the Hawkesbury stand alone meeting on Saturday.

Prepared by Kris Lees, Graff was an easy debut winner at Rosehill on April 2 and was a well backed favourite to win the $125,000 Clarendon Stakes over 1300 metres.

A touch slow to begin, he settled with just two behind him and then found himself three wide as the race unfolded.

Under strong riding from Kerrin McEvoy, Graff was tenacious to the line and claimed a half neck victory to make it two wins from as many starts.

“I’d given up on him coming to the corner when he’d come off the bridle,” said Kris Lees.

“He probably had the toughest run in the race and he was still able to overcome some nice horses, that’s a very encouraging sign.”

Graff will now head to Queensland  for the Group II BRC Sires Produce Stakes on May 26 followed by the Group One BRC JJ Atkins (1600m), which would be his grand final in June.

“He’s looks a horse that’ll run a mile, that’s an encouraging sign from an Atkins point of view,” Lees said.

Graff is the second foal of Dinkum Diamond, a winner of the Group III SAJC The Jansz as two-year-old, who in turn is out of Group III SAJC Dermody Stakes winner Raja Lane, so it is a strong two year-old pedigree.

Foaled and raised at Widden Stud, he was offered by Widden at the 2017 Magic Million Gold Coast Yearling Sale, making $200,000 to the bid of Alan Bell Racing.

Dinkum Diamond’s current yearling, a filly by Star Witness, was sold this year for $320,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale when offered by Widden Stud. She has a weanling by Shamus Award and was served by Your Song last season.

Star Witness stands this spring at Widden Stud at a fee of $33,000.