Another Star for Witness

On the eve of the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes which he won in 2010, Star Witness featured with an exciting winner at Moonee Valley on Friday night with unbeaten three year-old Stellar Collision going three for three with a fast finishing victory.

The Darren Weir trained gelding came home hard with a well-timed run to win the 1000 metre Benchmark 70 sprint by a head, taking his overall earnings past $58,000.

Not offered at auction, Stellar Collision is the first winner for well-bred More Than Ready (USA) mare What an Impact, who comes from the family of Group II winner Elegant Fashion and her Group III winning daughter Star Fashion.

Further back the family traces to celebrated matriarch Highclere, whose many Group I winning descendants include the likes of Nashwan, Nayef, champion Japanese sire Deep Impact and imported Australian Group I winner My Kingdom of Fife.

What an Impact was one of 127 mares covered last spring by Cox Plate and Australian Guineas winner Shamus Award.

Stellar Collision is yet another smart type for Widden Stud’s Star Witness, who has a great chance in the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes on Saturday in the shape of Star Turn.

The Hawkes Racing trained colt improved sharply second up last preparation and similar progress from his first up run this time when a close second to Flying Artie in the Group II MRC Blue Diamond Prelude should see him in the finish.