Star Witness 2nd at Royal Ascot

Australia’s outstanding 3YO sprinting colt Star Witness has just missed victory in the five-furlong King’s Stand S. G1 on the opening day of Royal Ascot.

The handsome son of European, Australian & New Zealand Group 1 winner Starcraft paraded in great order and was widely tipped to win the race, but a sluggish start left him out of touch with the strong early pace set first by the “Budapest Bullet” Overdose, and then the Hong Kong runner Sweet Sanette.

Star Witness steadily worked his way into contention and produced a powerful burst over the final stages to secure second placing, but was a half-length short of 6YO gelding Prohibit on the line, with Sweet Sanette another half-length back in third.

Dual Group 1 winner Star Witness has spear-headed a marvellous Australasian season for Starcraft, sire of seven stakeswinners from two crops in 2010/11. They include 3YO filly We Can Say It Now who won twice at Group 1 level in New Zealand before her retirement in the autumn, and Group winners Crafty Irna, Do You Think & Starcheeka.

Starcraft stands the 2011 season at a fee of $44,000 inc. GST.