Hard on the heels of his three stakes performers last Saturday, Starcraft posted an impressive debut winner at Hawkesbury on Tuesday.
3YO gelding Craftiness jumped well, raced in or near the lead and, after Blake Shinn balanced him up around the turn, galloped home strongly to win by a half-length from Princess Ailani, with Ganar 4.5 lengths away in third place.
Trained by Guy Walter, Craftiness is from the Arrowfield-bred mare Rosecutter, a city-winning daughter of Redoute’s Choice descended from Lady Belle, also ancestress of champion 2YO Dance Hero. Rosecutter is now in foal to All American.
Starcraft has left dual Group 1 winner Star Witness, stakeswinner Ain’tnofallenstar and this season’s stakes performers Dual Star & Starkiato from mares by Danehill sons.
Starcraft’s 10 yearlings sold in Session 1 of last month’s Inglis Easter Sale averaged $170,500, with a top price of $650,000 for the filly from Dane Belltar (by Danewin).
Starcraft stands at Arrowfield in 2014 at a fee of $11,000 inc. GST.