Youeffoh makes 10 for Starcraft

The cleverly named 3YO filly Youeffoh (ex Ribot’s Secret (IRE) by Danehill) won her second start easily at Geelong today, bringing up the 10th individual winner from the first Australian crop of the charismatic young Arrowfield sire Starcraft .

She lined up over 1000 metres in a field reduced by scratchings to only four runners, but the attractive, muscular filly could hardly have been more impressive, sitting outside the early leader before accelerating smoothly in the straight to win with her ears pricked, and break 34 seconds for the final 600 metres.

Jockey Danny Nikolic said afterwards, “Once she learns to settle, she’s going to be above average.” Trainer Lee Freedman has obviously thought something of her for a while: he chose the VRC Talindert S. LR for her debut in January and she finished a respectable sixth behind subsequent Group 1 winner Star Witness, also by Starcraft.

Bred by Arrowfield Group Pty Ltd & Jungle Pocket Pty Ltd, Youeffoh was sold for $100,000 by Bellerive Stud at the 2009 Magic Millions Premier Sale, and is raced by John O’Neill and partners. Ribot’s Secret, Group-placed in England, Ireland and the United States, also has a two-year-old colt by Starcraft and is booked this season to Not a Single Doubt.

Star Witness ran third, after racing wide without cover, at his season debut in the MRC Vain S. 1100m LR on 14 August, and will appear next in the VRC Danehill S. G2 on 4 September.

Starcraft stands at Arrowfield in 2010 at a fee of $38,500 (inc. GST).