Century of winners for Starcraft

Soccer fans would have cashed in when Gianfranco won over 1400 metres at Kembla Grange on Saturday.

The 3YO Starcraft gelding is trained by Gai Waterhouse and he scored on debut just minutes after stablemate Pierro clinched the Golden Slipper G1 at Rosehill.

Pictured: Talented and consistent 3YO filly Hallowelle Belle is one of Starcraft’s three stakeswinners this season. (PHOTO: Sportpix)

Gianfranco, a homebred for Starcraft’s owner Paul Makin, is named after soccer star Gianfranco Zola. The former Italian international, who has managed Chelsea and West Ham, is expected in Australia this week to take over as the gaffer at Melbourne Victory.

His dam Zola won the 1998 ARC Ellerslie Sires’ Produce Stakes for trainer Dave O’Sullivan, then travelled to Australia the following spring to run an excellent second to champion filly Sunline in the STC Tea Rose S. G1.

Gianfranco is the 100th individual winner for Starcraft. That tally includes 10 Australasian stakeswinners, among them three current season 3YOs: Hallowell Belle, Celebrity Girl and Perfect Punch.

Starcraft has nine yearlings in the 2012 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale this week including two fillies and a colt in the Arrowfield draft .

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