Champion
trainer Darren Weir won the last stakes race in Victoria for 2017 with talented
Star Witness gelding Stellar Collision.
The five year-old had been mixing his form since winning the $80,000 Apache
Cat Handicap at Cranbourne in March, but found his best form at his second run
back from a spell in the Listed MRC Christmas Stakes.
He settled fourth for Dean Yendall and hit the line hard to win the 1200 metre sprint by a half neck.
''I know he has the ability but he's been struggling to put it together,
although there have been some excuses at his past few,'' Weir said.
"But on his best form, he gets along pretty good.''
Weir indicated Stellar Collision might be given the chance to prove himself a
lightweight hope in the $1 million Goodwood in Adelaide in May.
Not offered at auction, Stellar Collision has now won seven of 20 starts and
over $326,000 in prizemoney and is the 12th stakes-winner for his
sire Star Witness.
He is the first winner for well-bred More Than Ready (USA) mare What an Impact,
who comes from the family of Group II winner Elegant Fashion and her Group III
winning daughter Star Fashion.
Further back the family traces to celebrated matriarch Highclere, whose many
Group I winning descendants include the likes of Nashwan, Nayef, champion
Japanese sire Deep Impact and imported Australian Group I winner My Kingdom of
Fife.
What an Impact was one of 220 mares covered in 2016 by Star Witness and
produced a filly this spring.
Widden Stud's Star Witness has big representation at upcoming sales with 22 at
Magic Millions, 29 at Inglis Classic and 7 for Inglis Premier.