Star Witness Filly Wins G3 Scarborough Stakes
Since winning the opening two-year-old race of the season in New Zealand a year ago, the Star Witness filly Bellatrix Star has been a model of consistency and added the Group III MVRC Scarborough Stakes (1200m) to her resume at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
The Group II Eclipse Stakes winner at Pukekohe Park on New Year’s Day, Bellatrix Star was a troubled fifth behind Drifting at her Australian debut in the Group II Quzette Stakes at Caulfield and then at her most recent start, the Mark Walker-trained filly captured the Listed Cap D’antibes Stakes.
She faced a similar field on Friday night and under a peach from Michael Dee, Bellatrix Star Star disposed of her rivals with a minimum of fuss winning by three-quarters of a length.
It's another black-type win for the Star! ⭐️
Bellatrix Star makes it back-to-back victories for @TeAkauRacing 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BlLgNuMs8P
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 27, 2024
“It’s a massive confidence booster that she can do it on good and soft tracks,” stable representative Ben Gleeson said.
“She won dominantly last start, but for her to put that field away again and improve and show that she is up to a better level. It’s a good boost for us.
“Mark and I both thought she’d improved in her condition and her work at home being exceptional. Mick gave her a 10 out of 10 ride. He put her in the box seat, and she just showed her class.”
“(Owner) John (Galvin), for what he spends on horses, does an amazing job. He finds a great syndicate of people and consistently buys a very good horse, whether it’s in New Zealand or here. Every year, you see Fortuna turn up with a good set of silks on a nice horse. So I’m really pleased for John Galvin, a massive supporter.”
A Group II winner in New Zealand last season, Bellatrix Star was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $80,000 out of Phoenix Park’s 2023 New Zealand Book 1 Sale draft on behalf of Fortuna Syndications and has the overall record of four wins and two placings from eight starts with prizemoney topping $420,000.
Bred by Rob Dunnett, she was foaled and raised at Seymour Park in Victoria and is the best of two winners from Alana’s Party, a half-sister by Exceed and Excel to Group III placed Petition from Group I winner The Party Stand. A savvy purchase for just $17,000 from the 2021 Magic Million National Broodmare Sale for Mark Pilkington Management, Alana’s Party was carrying Bellatrix Star at the time.
Alana’s Party has a two year-old colt by Royal Meeting (IRE) that was bought by David Ellis for $280,000 at Inglis Premier from the Newhaven Park draft earlier this year.
She has a yearling colt to follow by Nicconi, but no foal this year after missing to Dundeel.
Bellatrix Star is the first stakes-winner of a new season for Widden Stud’s stalwart sire Star Witness, who stands in Victoria at the value fee of $8,800.
