Star Witness 3YO Impresses

Labelled a Breednet ‘One to Watch’ when scoring on debut at Wyong back in February, Star Witness three year-old Firsthand kept his unbeaten record when resuming from a spell to salute at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Prepared by Team Hawkes, Firsthand was entered for Rosehill and Moonee Valley, with Melbourne winning out and a happy result followed.

Sent out favourite, he led for Dwayne Dunn and fought on to win the 1200 metre sprint by a nose.

“I was able to lead and dictate which was what we anticipated,” Dunn said. “He wobbled around the turn a bit but once he straightened up he did it well.

“He’s pretty promising and will learn from the experience.”

Wayne Hawkes also thought the win had plenty of merit.

“He’s a horse going somewhere,” Hawkes said. “But he’s still a baby, it’s off-season and let’s not get carried away. Really he’s 12 months away.”

A $125,000 Inglis Easter Session II purchase for his trainer from the Goodwood Farm draft, Firsthand is a half-brother to stakes-placed Bale Star and Public Holiday being the sixth winner from Thanskgiving.

A placed daughter of Epsom Derby winner Generous (IRE), Thanksgiving comes from the Great Klaire branch of the Eight Carat family that has produced Group I winners Bonanova, Fraternity and Telesto.

Thanksgiving has been married to Star Witness in recent years and has been back to him every year since Firsthand was born.