Star Witness Success in South Africa

Star Witness went close to siring a stakes-winner at Turffontein in South Africa on Saturday when his classy three year-old filly Mella Maria was narrowly beaten in the Group III Starling Stakes over 1400 metres.

Star Witness featured earlier in the day with a winner when three year-old colt Lineker scored his second win from five starts when taking out the Bloodstock SA Ready to Run Cup over 1400 metres for Justin Snaith.

A $50,000 Magic Millions purchase for Paul Lafferty from the Widden Stud draft, Lineker is the second winner for South African Group I winner Battle Maiden (Zim).

Both Lineker and Mella Maria have been stakes-placed previously and both loom as potential stakes-winners in South Africa for their exciting young sire, who is currently the leading Australian Second Season Sire by winners with 18 on the board.