Six black type performers for Starcraft

Two days after the colt by Starcraft from Bird Sanctuary (by Grand Lodge) sold for $180,000 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, two-year-old filly We Can Say It Now showed why Starcraft’s progeny are in such keen demand.

She started favourite in the ARC Great Northern Foal S. LR at Ellerslie, Auckland on Saturday 29 May and overcame a slightly tardy exit from the gates and a slow track to snatch second placing in eye-catching fashion.

Trained by Murray & Bjorn Baker for owner-breeders Paul & Lyn Makin (who also raced Starcraft), We Can Say It Now (ex We Can’t Say That by Generous) joined Star Witness (MRC Blue Diamond S. G1), Starstreamed, Ain’tnofallenstar and Starcheeka as winners from Starcraft’s first Australian crop when she scored impressively at Matamata on 19 May.

With the addition of Baschar’s third placing in the Grosser Preis der Sparkasse Dortmund 2000m LR on 13 May, the world champion older turf miler of 2005 now has six black type performers from his northern and southern hemisphere 2007 crops: G1 Star Witness, SW Don’t Tell Mary, twice Group-placed Keep Cool and stakes-placed Baschar, We Can Say it Now and Mr Spock.

The Bird Sanctuary colt was one of two Starcraft weanlings sold at the Magic Millions sale last week – the other, a filly from Seducation (by Danehill), made $90,000. Both weanlings were sold by Kulani Park, and the buyers, Oxford Thoroughbreds and Michael Wallace Bloodstock, are both New Zealand-based.

Starcraft stands this season at Arrowfield at a fee of $38,500 (inc. GST).