Group One Goal for Star Witness Stakes-Winner

Dual Group I winner Star Witness opened The Championships meeting at Randwick on Saturday in the best way possible siring his first stakes-winner when talented Victorian colt The Barrister scored a bold front running win in the Listed ATC Fernhill Handicap.

A last start winner of the $100,000 Mornington Sires Produce Stakes last month, The Barrister was sent up to Sydney on the strength of that win by trainer Jason Warren, who was well rewarded for his calculated gamble.

The handsome chestnut led throughout for Hugh Bowman, relishing the 1600 metres on heavy ground to win with authority by more than two lengths.

“I rode him Thursday morning on the sand for a canter and that gave me a lot of confidence as he’s a beautiful mover,” said Hugh Bowman.

Jason Warren was thrilled with the win and has bigger plans in store for the progressive colt.

“He was pretty keen, but once he got into a nice rhythm he ran the mile out well,” he said.

“He’s really improved so we’d be tempted to stick around for the Champagne Stakes (Group I) next week as the winner of this race is exempt from ballot.

“If he pulls up well, we might as well have a throw at the big stumps!”

A $110,000 Inglis Easter purchase for his trainer from the Widden Stud draft, The Barrister has won two of six starts earning over $157,000 in prizemoney.

Bred by Barree Stud, The Barrister is the second winner for Group III winning Desert Sun (GB) mare Strikeline, who has been a regular at Widden Stud.

She has a yearling filly by Star Witness that will be offered at the Super VOBIS Yearling Sale as Lot 313 by Golden Grove, a colt foal by Nicconi and was covered by the same sire again last year.

The Barrister is the first stakes-winner Star Witness, but is his fifth stakes performer joining Serenade, Kimberley Star, Mella Maria and Pearl Star.