Bright Future for Star Witness 3YO

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.

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 hels 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.

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.