S for...STARCRAFT

[imaufo]

Starcraft scores an upset in Debonair


Gold Coast trainer Garry Newham upset all the locals at Flemington when his highly rated galloper Starcraft (Matt Pumpa), flashed home for a barnstorming win in the $200,000, Group III, The Debonair (1410m) this afternoon.

While Winestock led the field up Starcraft was at the rear of the field. E for Elvstroem put in a challenge from the inside, along with Under The Bridge, but Starcraft was absolutely flying down the outside and the visitor was far too good for the field of quality three-year-olds, winning by a length and a half from Under The Bridge (K Sanderson) and Elvstroem (Damien Oliver).

Starcraft is a half-brother to the well performed Sydney mare Forum Floozie and he's now won $163,400 in earnings from four wins and two placings from just eight starts.

Starcraft was having his first start for seven weeks after mising the Zeditave Stakes when he wrenched a knee-joint.
“He was going back home, things didn’t look good,� said Newham of Starcraft’s injury.

“We got a second opinion and took him to Werribee (clinic) where we got the go-ahead to continue his preparation�.
“He’s a real good horse, the best I have ever had that’s for sure and he will be even better over a mile to 1700m."

The well tried Tony Noonan trained Abdullah, settled just off the pace, but tired in the run home to finish seventh.


By: Jo Adams - Saturday, 31 January 2004


PS...he is an interesting case this horse. Just how good is he? He has won his past 4 races now and beat some of the best on Saturday, but perhaps the conditions were in his favour. Anyway I like the look of him and will be interested to see how he measures up as he goes along.
:rolleyes: :)

[Seabiscuit]

When you say Starcraft beat some of the best on Saturday I think you should qualify it by saying he beat some of the best in Melbourne. After all Perth plodders like Northerly and Old Comrade used to run riot in Melbourne but never won a race in Sydney between them in several attempts.

[imaufo]

Maybe not best of the best but it as the biggest race of the day anywhere in Australia so it wasnt a bad effort. I like him ...looks a bit like Saintly. Im sure he will prove to be above average.

[Handy Harry]

http://www.theage.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1075570401404_2004/02/03/craft.jpg


By Tony Bourke
February 1, 2004

After being written off for the autumn two weeks ago, Queenslander Starcraft stormed into contention for the group 1 Australian Guineas with his win in The Debonair (1410m) at Flemington yesterday.

The Gold Coast-trained colt, unwanted in the betting, made it four on the trot and gave jockey Matt Pumpa one of his best wins.

For trainer Gary Newnham, a former jockey in New South Wales, it was his first success in Melbourne and the $753,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) on February 14 can hardly come soon enough.

Newnham, 52, who has been training for almost 30 years, sent Starcraft to Melbourne two weeks ago specifically for The Debonair and Australian Guineas.

http://www.theage.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1075340893821_2004/01/31/01s_thedebonair,0.jpg


However, a couple of days after his arrival, the colt developed heat in his off-fore fetlock joint and Newnham had the leg X-rayed.

"The vet said there appeared to be a bone chip in the joint, which would have meant the end of the autumn, but he didn't seem to be sore, so I got a second opinion," Newnham said.

He got vet John Walker to do another X-ray, which was sent to renowned Sydney vet Percy Sykes, who gave the leg the all-clear.

"I think he must have just ricked the joint," Newnham said.

"He missed a few days' work but that hasn't bothered him."

With only two behind him at the home turn, Pumpa brought Starcraft down the outside of the field to win by a length-and-three-quarters from Under The Bridge ($26), with Elvstroem ($3.40 fav) a long neck away third.

From their inside barriers, Under The Bridge and Elvstroem were forced to race on what was probably the worst part of the track, so their runs were outstanding in the circumstances. Far from being disappointed, trainer Tony Vasil came away from the race with a satisfied look.

Vasil now has two outstanding hopes, rather than just Evlstroem, in the Australian Guineas.

He and jockey Damien Oliver were more than satisfied with Elvstroem, who was having only his second start since winning the Victoria Derby last spring and looked above himself in condition.

"I'd be crazy to have him cranked right up, he still has a long way to go," Vasil said.

Oliver said Elvstroem raced a "touch fresh" and the "further he goes, the better".

Under The Bridge, winner of the South Australian Sires' Produce Stakes last May, was also having his second start back from a spell yesterday.

Vasil has always been confident of him developing into a good horse in his own right.

Under The Bridge also could be aimed at the AJC Australian Derby in April but, as Vasil pointed out, "you can't win the AJC Derby with two horses".

Trainer Tony Noonan was stunned with the poor effort of Abdullah, who went from travelling to beaten in a few strides at the top of the straight.

"He's just not right," jockey Nash Rawiller said on returning to scale. "I don't know what's wrong with him and the vets can't find anything but he's just not putting in."

Rawiller said he was convinced that if Abdullah was right, he would have no trouble running out 1400 metres or even 1600 metres.

"I don't think the distance is the problem. Perhaps he might do better with blinkers, but I was very happy with the way he travelled into the race (today) and then he was gone in a few strides," Rawiller said.

Winestock, who sat behind the leaders, dropped right out to finish at the tail of the field, again showing that he is hopeless on anything other than a firm track.


This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/31/1075340893423.html

http://www.theage.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1075340898779_2004/01/31/01s_guineas,0.jpg

[imaufo]

Tony Meany, turf
c/ The Courier Mail, 11 feb/ 04

GENTLE giant Starcraft is not for sale and trainer Garry Newham believes a weight gain for the colt is evidence he is thriving in Melbourne.



Newham said owner Paul Makin was adamant he would not sell Starcraft despite heavy interest in the horse from local and overseas trainers.

"Paul eventually wants to stand the horse at stud himself. He says the horse is not for sale at any price," Newham said yesterday.

Makin has set up his own stable on the Gold Coast after making his fortune in Hong Kong ripping people off, and Newham took over from Larry Olsen as his private trainer.

Starcraft is on the third line of betting at $6.50 for Saturday's $753,000 Group 1 Cadbury Guineas (1600m) following his stunning win in The Debonair (1400m) at the same track last Saturday week.

"Before he ran in the race (The Debonair) we weighed him at 565kg. In Queensland, he went to scale at 560kg," Newham said.

"The scales where we are staying have broken but I want to weigh him again this week because I think he might have gained more weight.

"Every time you turn around down here he is looking for more feed. The other staff at the stable can't believe it."

Newham said even after Starcraft worked two laps of the inside grass at Flemington yesterday and sprinted his last piece of work he was still looking for his bin.

"There is nothing you can do to hurt him. He will do the same work on Thursday to open up his airways. He rails like a greyhound down here," he said.

"We won't be changing his racing pattern and because of that I am not too concerned about where he draws.

"This fellow is a real racehorse. On racedays you can see him pump himself up and he is just a different horse.

"People who don't know him cannot believe the change because he is a lamb around the stable."

Starcraft was ridden by Matt Pumpa in The Debonair and came from last turning for home, making his run down the outside on a surface biased against the inside.

Pumpa has been replaced by Scott Seamer and Newham said he would consider running against Lonhro in the Australian Cup (2000m) if the colt again won impressively.

"No matter what happens, after that he will go for a spell," he said.

Newham said punters had it right with making Elvstroem favourite for the Guineas because he would meet Starcraft on 3.5kg better terms than when he ran third in The Debonair after racing on the inside section.

"Elvstroem is the class horse of the field," Newham said.[SIZE=3]Newham said owner Paul Makin was adamant he would not sell Starcraft despite heavy interest in the horse from local and overseas trainers.

[imaufo]

By Darren Prendergast
February 13, 2004

Gold Coast colt Starcraft will be out to prove his boilover win in The Debonair last month wasn't a fluke when he tackles the group 1 Cadbury Guineas at Flemington on Saturday.

The Garry Newham-trained three-year-old upstaged a strong field, including Victoria Derby winner Elvstroem, to win the group 3 The Debonair on January 31 in his first start outside Queensland.

Newham, 52, is confident Starcraft, which three months ago was a maiden with promise, can repeat the feat against a similar line-up in the 1600-metre feature.

"Everything is spot-on," said the former jockey, who has been training for 30 years. "He has trained on lovely since The Debonair.

"We set this plan [to run in the Guineas] out for him six months ago provided everything went right for him," he said. "At the time I was a bit hesitant but now I am confident he can do it. He has always shown us a bit of ability."

Newham has engaged Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Scott Seamer to partner Starcraft. Seamer, who won the Cadbury Guineas on Dash For Cash in 2002, was aboard Starcraft in his maiden success at Doomben on November 19. The colt hasn't been beaten since.

After three successive wins in Queensland, Newham gave Starcraft a short break before sending the colt to Melbourne for a crack at group company in The Debonair. "He was too good for them in Queensland and we thought we'd have a shot at Melbourne," he said.

It proved a shrewd move with Starcraft unleashing a powerful finishing burst to win The Debonair.

Newham has kept Starcraft "ticking over" since and he is adamant the step up to 1600m will be ideal for the colt, which cost owner Paul Makin $70,000 as a yearling. Starcraft has recorded two of his four wins over 1600m.

Starcraft's impressive last-start win led to a string of offers from overseas for the colt. However, Makin said the horse was not for sale "at any price".

"Paul eventually wants to stand the horse at stud himself," Newham said.

Another win on Saturday will only enhance Starcraft's value.

"He has really furnished into a lovely horse," Newham said. "He was a bit gangly as a two-year-old and wasn't quite with it mentally. He was immature but he has come of age this preparation."

Starcraft is a half-brother to John Hawkes's group 1-placed mare Forum Floozie, which will resume in the listed Breeders Classic on the Kensington track on Saturday.

Trainer Tony Vasil will saddle up Debonair placegetters Under The Bridge and Elvstroem in the Guineas.

Graeme Rogerson's unbeaten colt Reset faces his acid test in the race. Reset, which will be having his first start at Flemington, with Caulfield Cup-winning jockey Danny Nikolic aboard, has cruised to victory in his three career starts.

"He is going up in class but this horse has done nothing wrong in the last six weeks," Nikolic told racingandsports.com this week. "He is a little iron horse."

Although Starcraft has been nominated for the group 1 Australian Cup at Flemington next month, Newham said the colt was likely to head back to Queensland after Saturday.

"We will see what Saturday brings first but I'd say he will go home and have a rest after Saturday and get ready for the winter carnival in Brisbane," he said. "Races like the [Queensland] Guineas and [Queensland] Derby will be good targets."

Jockey Patrick Payne will be chasing back-to-back wins in the Cadbury Guineas when he rides Bushido on Saturday. Payne rode Delago Brom to victory last year.


This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/12/1076548154470.html

[imaufo]

By John Schell
March 1, 2004

The dominant performance of Reset in the Futurity Stakes has instilled confidence in jockey Glen Boss that a group 1 win beckons at Warwick Farm this week when he combines with Queensland three-year-old Starcraft.

Boss's booking for the Garry Newham-trained Starcraft opened up an opportunity yesterday for Queensland-based jockey John Powell to ride the Gai Waterhouse-trained Platinum Scissors in the weight-for-age Chipping Norton Stakes.

Powell has already been booked to ride the Waterhouse pair Esther (Kindergarten Stakes) and So Assertive (Liverpool City Cup) at Warwick Farm, with stable spokesman Peter Dawkins saying Powell was in contention to ride Platinum Scissors, although no rider had been confirmed.

Powell, based in Sydney before moving to Brisbane several years ago, last rode here when aboard Stoway for Waterhouse in the Epsom last spring.

Boss said Starcraft, which ran second to Reset in the Cadbury Guineas at his latest start, would emerge as one of the leading chances in the Chipping Norton.

"Starcraft is a really good horse on the way up and it's looking like the Chipping Norton will not be overly strong," he said. "His last-start second to Reset was full of merit and we all saw what Reset did in the Futurity."

Joining Starcraft as part of the three-year-old invasion in the 1600-metre Chipping Norton are the John Hawkes-trained Ambulance (Darren Beadman) and the Graeme Rogerson-trained Mutheer (Jim Cassidy). Hawkes will also start Freemason (Rod Quinn).

Boss's decision to stick with the Guy Walter-trained Patezza in the Liverpool City Cup paved the way for Powell to gain the booking for So Assertive. Hawkes said he would nominate Boreale, Dorky and Gordo for that race.

Boss will be the new rider of Golden Slipper hopeful Charge Forward, trained by John O'Shea, when he contests Saturday's Kindergarten Stakes for two-year-olds. Charge Forward was ridden by Hugh Bowman when he won the Breeders' Plate on debut at Randwick last spring.

Bowman takes over the reins on the Barbara Joseph-prepared Commands Nothin' in the Kindergarten, with regular rider Darren Beadman set to partner debutant Spikes - the two-year-old brother of champion Lonhro and fellow group 1 winner Niello. Spikes will be out to emulate Niello, which won last year's Kindergarten.


This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/01/1078117358376.html

[imaufo]

When Gold Coast trainer Garry Newnham saddled up three-year-old Starcraft (Glen Boss) to win the $250,000 Group I Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm this afternoon, part-owner Paul Makin immediately issued a million dollar challenge to Lloyd Williams, owner of Melbourne sensation Reset.


"I'm serious," said Makin

"I'll put one million dollars up if Lloyd will and we'll have a match-race over 1600m.

"Each horse can have a pacemaker and the pacemaker can go across the line first but the actual result will depend on which of these two horses (Starcraft and Reset) finish in front.

"We should have beaten Reset last start in the Cadbury Guineas and before the race I offered Lloyd 2/1 for half a million that we would beat him and he didn't take it.

"The winner of the race match would get $1.5M and the remaining $500,000 would be shared between the patrons who turn up for the race!"

Quietly spoken trainer Garry Newnham was right beside him;
"He's serious you know, money means nothing when it comes to his horses!"

Starcraft didn't have the easiest of runs in the Chipping Norton:
"He had to do all the work; he's been four wide the journey and he's still won," said Newnham

"He's done a great job and there can be no excuses for those who finished behind him."

"I knew he was a special horse after his second win.

"He's a lovely big relaxed horse and the travel doesn't worry him.
"He just goes to sleep in the float and arrives in great condition. We'll take him home now to the Gold Coast and think about bringing him back for maybe the Derby. Let's just see how he pulls up first."

Starcraft, as Newnham said, was wide for the journey and turned for home out in the centre of the track. He was far too good for them though and kicked away for an easy length and a half win from the fast finishing Ambulance (Darren Beadman) with Gentle Genius (Lenny Beasley) in third place a further long neck away.
They ran 1.40.84 for the mile, the final 600m in 36.63 while grand old campaigner Freemason (Rodney Quinn) rattled home for fifth just behind Excellerator (Chris Munce).



By: Jo Adams - Saturday, 6 March 2004

[imaufo]

By Patrick Bartley
March 10, 2004

Talented Queensland three-year-old Starcraft could be heading for Royal Ascot in England if he wins Saturday week's group 1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill.

Starcraft's connections will find out next week if the horse has been invited to the Singapore Gold Cup (2000 metres) in May and are considering following Choisir's lead and running the horse in England the following month.

But the key to whether Starcraft heads to Singapore, and possibly England for the group 1 Queen Anne Stakes over 1600 metres, will be his performance in the group 1 weight-for-age Ranvet Stakes (2000 metres).

Starcraft's Gold Coast trainer Garry Newham has never been overseas, but last night signalled his confidence by completing his first passport application.

"I've been told he's on the shortlist for an invitation to Singapore for the Gold Cup," Newham said. "If he gets invited, he'll go over but he'll need to run well in the Ranvet first.

"His owner (Paul Makin) is quite serious about Singapore and England but it will all be off if he can't run 2000 metres. I think he'll run the trip on his ear and so do all his jockeys, but you never know until you try them."

Newham said Sydney rider Glen Boss would ride the colt in Singapore if available.

Last year, Choisir won the group 2 King's Stand over 1000 metres and the group 1 Golden Jubilee (1200 metres) at Ascot before finishing second in the group 1 July Cup (1200 metres) at Newmarket. He was then sold to Coolmore Stud as a sire for about $25 million.

The original plans for Starcraft were for the colt to run in the wfa $2 million BMW (2400 metres) at Rosehill on April 3 and the $2 million AJC Australian Derby (2400 metres) at Randwick a week later.

- with AAP


This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/09/1078594362315.html

[imaufo]

By Darren Prendergast

March 15, 2004

Crack colt Starcraft will bypass the group 1 Ranvet Stakes in favour of a tantalising showdown with Niello and Victoria Derby winner Elvstroem in the $500,000 Rosehill Guineas on Saturday week.

Trainer Garry Newham confirmed the switch yesterday, believing his group 1-winning three-year-old would benefit from another easy week following his impressive win in the Chipping Norton Stakes at Warwick Farm last Saturday week.

"His win on a wet track at Warwick Farm and the travelling back up to the Gold Coast the next day took a bit out of him so I felt it was best to give him an extra week," Newham said. "The horse is fine. I just don't want to be rushing him and the Rosehill Guineas is the ideal next step for him."

Damien Oliver had been booked to ride Starcraft in the Ranvet at Rosehill on Saturday. However, the change in plans will mean Glen Boss retaining the ride in the Rosehill Guineas.

While impressed by Niello's stunning win in the group 1 Canterbury Guineas on Saturday night, Newham was adamant the step up to 2000 metres at Rosehill would bring out the best in his rising star.

"I think you will see something awesome from this horse when he gets up to 2000m and beyond. I'm confident the best is yet to come," Newham declared, adding Starcraft would be flown to Sydney for his next outing rather than travel by road. "He deserves it now."

Newham said of Niello's win: "He's certainly bred to jump out of the ground but I couldn't get a real guide on the race. It seemed to be set up for the backmarkers but, by the same token, it was still a very strong win."

Newham is confident Starcraft has the measure of Elvstroem and his stablemate Under The Bridge, which won well at Flemington on Saturday. The Tony Vasil-trained pair will be among Starcraft's challengers in the Rosehill Guineas.

"I don't think anything he raced in Melbourne will be able to beat him in Sydney over 2000m," Newham said. "He will beat them even easier. They will have to have improved a lot."

Newham must convince owner Paul Makin that Starcraft should pursue a start in the $2 million AJC Australian Derby at Randwick on April 10. Makin, whom Newham said had no interest in selling his prized galloper, is keen to test Starcraft on the world stage in the Singapore Cup in May.

"I'm pushing for the derby," Newham said.

"But I'll sit down with Paul after the guineas and work out which way we go with him."

While Starcraft will miss the Ranvet, the weight-for-age event will attract a star-studded line-up headed by Caulfield Cup winner Mummify and Melbourne Cup heroine Makybe Diva.

With star three-year-old Reset heading to the spelling paddock, jockey Danny Nikolic is free to continue his association with Mummify in the Ranvet, while Boss will stick with Makybe Diva.

Jockey Brett Prebble, who will return from a three-month suspension tomorrow, has been booked to ride star filly Special Harmony in the Moonee Valley Oaks on Saturday.

Prebble's other key mount is Tony McEvoy's recent stable acquisition Lago Delight in the group 1 Australia Stakes. Hong Kong trainer David Hayes has called upon Prebble to ride Ain't Here in the Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Michael Rodd will return to Australia today after a successful three-week stint in Hong Kong where he rode two winners and six placings in 23 rides.


This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/14/1079199098041.html

[imaufo]

By John Schell
March 22, 2004

Niello must stave off an interstate invasion in Saturday's Rosehill Guineas to keep alive his claims for the Sydney three-year-old triple crown.

Like his father Octagonal had done in 1996, Niello stormed to victory in the Canterbury Guineas recently. Niello's trainer John Hawkes, who also prepared Octagonal to win the Rosehill Guineas and AJC Australian Derby, said yesterday Niello would face a tough time this week.

Queensland three-year-old group 1 winner Starcraft will be in the Rosehill Guineas, with Glen Boss to ride, as will the Victoria-trained stablemates Elvstroem (Damien Oliver) and Under The Bridge (Larry Cassidy), prepared by Tony Vasil. "There are some good colts in the race," Hawkes said. "I'm happy with Niello but these races are never easy."

While Niello and jockey Darren Beadman face stiff opposition, they will not have to contend with boom colt Keep The Faith, which started favourite in the Canterbury Guineas and finished fourth. Jockey Patrick Payne has been informed by the Tony McEvoy stable that Keep The Faith will miss the Rosehill Guineas and, instead, take on Niello's star brother Lonhro in the George Ryder Stakes the following week.

Payne will be at Warwick Farm on Sunday, however, to ride sprinter Star Of Florida in the Challenge Stakes.

While Niello was impressive in coming from last in the Canterbury Guineas, Boss thinks Starcraft can give him a run for his money in the Rosehill Guineas.

"The way he won the Chipping Norton Stakes last start showed he is pretty special," Boss said of the Garry Newham-trained Starcraft. "The 2000 metres of the Rosehill Guineas shouldn't pose any problems and I expect him to be right in the thick of things."

While McEvoy won't have Keep The Faith in the race, the head trainer for Lindsay Park will start Chosen Light with Corey Brown to ride.

Hugh Bowman will ride Lord Of The Land in the Rosehill Guineas for trainer Anthony Cummings with Canterbury Guineas third placegetter Dancing Daggers likely to be saved for the Tulloch Stakes on Saturday week. Elvstroem is coming into the guineas following a third to Lonhro in the Australian Cup, while Under The Bridge is a last-start Flemington winner.

In-form Kembla Grange trainer Gwenda Markwell will be represented by improving galloper Grand Zulu in the Rosehill Guineas. Grand Zulu won the Canberra Guineas at his latest start with winning jockey Rod Quinn retaining the ride.

Markwell convinced Hong Kong-based owner David Choy to leave Grand Zulu with her for a crack at the guineas and a possible start in the AJC Australian Derby. Choy races horses with Hong Kong trainer John Size and has plans to take Grand Zulu there.


This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/21/1079823242515.html

[Handy Harry]

By Stephen Howell

Sydney April 4, 2004

It was scheduled as an entree of two servings - a sliver of Starcraft and a slice of Special Harmony - at Rosehill yesterday, but it was the most important taste of the future of Australian racing: short-term in the AJC Derby at Randwick next Saturday, and long-term to the Cox Plate and beyond.


http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/04/03/04s_randwick,0.jpg

(L-R): Starcraft takes out the Parramatta Leagues Club Stakes. Special Harmony wins the Arrowfield.



The derby promises a battle of the sexes between a colt that could be the next Lonhro and a filly that is being compared to Sunline. It is a contest that could extend to the spring, and be bolstered when Melbourne's boom three-year-old, Reset, joins in.

Starcraft, the $2 favourite, won the Parramatta Leagues Club Stakes, formerly the Tulloch Stakes, for the males, and Special Harmony, the $1.50 favourite, won the Arrowfield Stakes for females.

Starcraft flew in from the Gold Coast at midnight on Friday, and at 12.52pm yesterday flew past other derby hopefuls, including Delzao, who was just nutted by Lonhro in the Australian Cup last month. Performances at Flemington and Warwick Farm from January-March had labelled Starcraft a star in the making, and yesterday confirmed it.

Winning jockey Glen Boss was fined $500 and severely reprimanded by chief steward Ray Murrihy for a "foolish and far too risky" display when he stood in the irons and waved to the crowd many metres before the finish line.

Owner Paul Makin, a Queensland developer, did not mind if it was jubilation or an "up yours" gesture to stewards after Boss lost a race on a controversial protest last week. "I don't care, I'll pay the fee," Makin said. "I'll be happy to pay."

Makin has plans that extend way beyond the derby. The mid-term? "I'd love to meet Reset," he said of the Cox Plate in October before going on to Hong Kong's international meeting in December. Makin's recent challenge to Reset's owner Lloyd Williams for a million-dollar match-race was dismissed by the Victorian.

Could Starcraft be the next Lonhro in the long term? "I don't know why he wouldn't be," Makin said, before adding: "I don't think he'll be the next Lonhro because I won't keep him in Australia, probably.

"I bought my horses to see if I could do a Choisir (win in England), but I got beaten to the punch. I'd like to go to America maybe with this horse because he goes better on the sand than he does on the grass."

Makin suggested next year's Breeder's Cup as a target and said he would be prepared to pay the late entry fee, perhaps as much as $400,000, to run Starcraft.

"He's a superior racehorse, he's a three-year-old with incredible talent (and) they go a long way in the derby," Boss said.

Starcraft has to get past Special Harmony, who was a second faster over 2000 metres yesterday, although her race was run at a stronger clip. The filly beat Shamekha, winner of the group 1 Coolmore Stakes at her previous start. "She's a great staying filly. The mile-and-a-half (2400 metres) next week will be right up her alley," trainer Lee Freedman said after Special Harmony gave him his 99th group 1 winner. Asked if he considered switching back to the fillies-only AJC Oaks after Starcraft's effort, Freedman said: "No, no, we'll run in the derby."

So will Delzao, whose final 50-100 metres pleased rider Steven King and trainer Greg Kavanagh.

Lonhro's little brother, Niello, will also be chasing the triple crown in the derby.


This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/03/1080941724430.html

[imaufo]

By Darren Prendergast
April 6, 2004

Flamboyant owner Paul Makin has declared his ambition to race crack colt Starcraft in the US next year as the talented three-year-old prepares to tackle the $2 million AJC Australian Derby at Randwick on Saturday.

The derby will not include The BMW winner Grand Zulu after connections did not pay the late-entry fee by the cut-off time yesterday.

Makin had hoped to test Starcraft on the world stage in Singapore next month but indicated on Saturday that his rising star would be spelled after the derby before being set for a showdown with glamour colt Reset in the WS Cox Plate in the spring.

Makin said the rich Breeders' Cup meeting in the US would be a "dream" target for the Garry Newham-trained Starcraft, one of the favourites to thwart Niello's bid to complete the three-year-olds' triple crown in the derby.

"I bought my horses to see if I could do a Choisir [win in England] but I got beaten to the punch," Makin said on Saturday. "I'd like to go to America maybe with this horse [Starcraft] because he goes better on the sand than he does on the grass."

Makin, who paid $NZ80,000 ($69,000) for Starcraft as a yearling, doesn't shy away from making bold statements about his colt, which has risen quickly through the ranks this campaign among an outstanding bunch of three-year-olds headed by Niello, Special Harmony, Grand Zulu and Reset.

After Starcraft broke through for his first group 1 win, in the Chipping Norton Stakes at Warwick Farm last month, Makin challenged Reset's owner Lloyd Williams to a $1 million match race between their star colts. The offer was knocked back.

Makin was also keen for his charge to take on the champion Lonhro in his final race start in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday week. However, those plans were thwarted when the colt suffered a minor leg infection leading up to the Rosehill Guineas last month.

Starcraft showed he had fully recovered from the setback with a comfortable win in the Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday. The win was made even more remarkable when Newham revealed his colt arrived in Sydney at midnight on Friday. "He's always been a good traveller," Newham said.

While Makin was eyeing off clashes with Reset and Lonhro, Newham had always harboured a desire to run Starcraft in the AJC Australian Derby. Following the setback, Newham got his wish and Starcraft has the chance to prove he is the nation's premier staying three-year-old.

"I've been on my knees for two months trying to convince Paul to run in the derby," Newham said. "It's going to take a good horse to beat him."

Makin, a retired punter who made his fortune betting in Hong Kong, is confident Starcraft can win the derby then return to take revenge on Reset - which defeated Starcraft in the group 1 Australian Guineas in February - in the Cox Plate before going to Hong Kong in December.

"I really want to beat Reset," Makin said. "I would love to beat Reset in the Cox Plate then go on and race [Starcraft] at the big international meeting in Hong Kong in December."

Starcraft is aiming to become the first Tulloch Stakes winner to go on and win the AJC Australian Derby since Ivory's Irish in 1995.


This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/05/1081017106913.html

[Handy Harry]

Starcraft set to be the boss of the derby
By Max Presnell
April 10, 2004

Starcraft: a freak or a Rosehill champion which will be found wanting over the derby distance and testing Randwick terrain?

The rise at Randwick is littered with the skeletons of three-year-olds which sizzled around the Rosehill 2000 metres at their previous start but wilted over the 2400m at headquarters.


http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/04/09/spt_starcraft040410,0.jpg


Generally, the Rosehill Guineas is the stepping stone to the AJC Australian Derby but Starcraft, due to an interrupted preparation, used the Tulloch Stakes, over the same journey a week later.

While hardly ideal, it was also a path used by Ivory's Irish, trained by Bart Cummings, en route to success in the classic in 1995. Ivory's Irish, too, had more of a sprint foundation, going from 1500m in the Phar Lap Stakes to the derby in three weeks.

Before the Tulloch, Starcraft hadn't raced since the Chipping Norton Stakes, 1600m, at Warwick Farm on March 6.

Starcraft displayed his wonderful acceleration when he overwhelmed Strafed and Delzao in the Tulloch but was eased down five strides before the finish by jockey Glen Boss in a feat more in keeping with a showman than a horseman. It took his form line to six wins from 11 starts.

Starcraft has a huge stride - the length of a bus - but is untried over 2400m, an assignment best suited to those which are bred and trained to do it.

Starcraft hasn't the best pedigree for the classic and the stop-start campaign is also against him.

In assessing Grand Zulu before he was successful in The BMW at Rosehill last Saturday, trainer John Hawkes felt the young stayer was at a disadvantage because he was starting in the weight-for-age race as an afterthought.

There are exceptions but Niello, prepared by Hawkes, has had the conventional derby campaign. The 2400m is possibly beyond the best distance for his brother Lonhro, but Niello has always been more of a stayer. Maybe Niello was lucky to beat Grand Zulu in the Rosehill Guineas but the form is good, considering the subsequent effort of Grand Zulu.

Regarding staying power, the filly Special Harmony comes out on top being out of a Marooned mare. Marooned won a Sydney Cup, and Special Harmony has already showed durability in the VRC Oaks, 2500m, and Arrowfield Stud Stakes, 2000m, at Rosehill last Saturday. Yes, it was easy at Rosehill but the tempo was red hot and the Arrowfield was run in 2 minutes 0.51 seconds compared with Starcraft's 2:01.57. At the end, though, Damien Oliver, on Special Harmony, was playing to the horse and not the crowd.

Another filly, Timbourina, will handle the distance, while the Melbourne three-year-old Delzao was responsible for the type of Rosehill effort last start that indicated he would be better suited by more of what Randwick had to offer. Unfortunately the Victoria Derby winner Elvstroem has developed the bad habit of refusing to settle tractably in races, which is a drawback for a derby. VERDICT: The vast ability of Starcraft to triumph.

[Handy Harry]

53,744 cheer Starcraft home in the Derby


There were incredible crowds at Randwick this afternoon with a crowd of over 53,000 on hand to salute the stars of the day including Dance Hero and Starcraft.

It's been 40 years since Randwick saw such a crowd but for those working their way through to the betting ring and back, the racing on the day made it all worthwhile.

Gold Coast trainer Garry Newham saddled up his magnificent colt Starcraft to win the $2 Million Group I San Miguel AJC Australian Derby (2400m).

“This is the greatest day of my life,� said the unassuming trainer
“He’s just a beautiful horse who is living up to the promise he showed at his very first race start.

“That day at Eagle Farm, he was giving Group winner Face Value 20 lengths and he ran him to three lengths, we knew then he was a little bit out of the ordinary.

“I was pretty sure he had won; I was right on the line so I was confident.

“They all said he couldn’t stay and one trainer said he’d been up longer than the Sydney Harbour Bridge, well I say he’s as strong as the Sydney Harbour Bridge!

“He’s got an incredible constitution. I fed him this morning at 6am and he’d finished by 7am so I gave him another.

�He’s booked on the morning float and we’ll go home to the Gold Coast where he’ll have a nice break now and then we can look at coming back in the spring.

“He’ll go to the Melbourne spring carnival and then he may even race in the USA, we’ll think about that later on.�

It was an incredibly close finish with Guy Walter’s Braeloch on the rails looking all over the winner, but Starcraft was finishing it off strongly on the outside. It was a close call on the line but Walter wasn’t getting too excited: �I’ve been caught by that angle before so I wasn’t getting carried away.

“That was a brilliant run by Braeloch it really was.

“He’ll go straight for a spell now and come back for the spring were he may well be a Cups horse.

“Danny rode him brilliantly he really did.�

Jockey Danny Beasley was just as happy:

“That was so close! I wasn’t sure after the line and I turned to Glen Boss and said ‘what do you think’ and he said “I think you held on’

“I’ve ridden this horse earlier in his career and I knew if there was one thing it was that he was always going to stay.
�He didn’t have to lead today but he was traveling that well I just let him roll along.

“I quickened the pace later on and he was still going so well, but Starcraft got there in then end.

“You never know in a year’s time we may look back on this race and say that Braeloch ran second to the Cox Plate winner, Starcraft is a very special horse.�

Starcraft won by a long head to Braeloch with Greg Kavanagh’s Delzao (Steven King) ran third, a further three quarters of a length away. Tony Wildman’s Timbourina (Rodney Quinn) put in a great performance to run fourth and she is set to back up in the AJC Oaks next Wednesday.

Special Harmony was sent out a very well backed favourite at $2.80 but finished a disappointing sixth.

Starcraft started at $3.40 with Niello (Darren Beadman) next in line at $4.20, but the son of Octagonal could only manage seventh, beaten five lengths.

Starcraft was purchased by Auckland bloodstock agent Rob Dawe at NZ Bloodstock Ltd’s Premier Sale at Karaka, for $80,000, on behalf of Gold Coast resident Paul Makin. Trained by Gold Coast trainer Gary Newham that yearling purchase has turned into a record of 12 starts for seven wins, including two Group I’s, and three placings, with stakes of $1.8m.

Top: Jo Adams - racenet...Saturday, 10 April 2004

[Handy Harry]

http://foxsports.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,5001,335194,00.jpg

GARRY NEWHAM's Derby dream came true at Randwick today when Starcraft took out the blue riband in a race that turned into a nightmare for some of his opponents including Niello.


Jockey Glen Boss and trainer Garry Newham.

Billed as the Derby of the Decade, the $2 million AJC Australian Derby was supposed to be a clash in three but they were almost upstaged by brazen newcomer Braeloch who took up the running early and defied all challengers until Starcraft lengthened stride to claim him by a long head at the end of the 2400 metres.

Left in the pair's wake were Special Harmony (sixth) and Niello (seventh) who were expected to fight out the finish.

The only person who was sure Starcraft had got there in time was his trainer Newham, who was standing on the rail at the winning post.

"I knew he was there, I was right in front and could see he'd got there in time," Newham said.

"This is the greatest day of my life.

"He is a superstar. I heard another trainer say he'd been up longer than the Sydney Harbour bridge.

"I'd like to tell that trainer that he's bigger than the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's a touch of freak about him."

Jockey Glen Boss, who won the other Group One race on the program, the Sires' Produce Stakes aboard Dance Hero, wasn't as sure of the result as his close friend.

"I thought I'd won but I wasn't going to go off too soon," he said.

"We were so far apart, I wasn't sure.

"But he is a great horse and he is just going to get better."

Braeloch was sent out at 100-1 but trainer Guy Walter was quietly confident he would run a big race and justifiably proud of his effort.

"For a moment I thought he'd won but I've been caught before by that angle and I was afraid to think he had," Walter said.

"But what a great run. Danny (Beasley) rode him a treat and the plan almost came off.

"I think he will be a Cups horse in the spring and he'll go for a spell now with that in mind."

Starcraft is also booked to go home to Queensland for a well-earned rest after a six-month campaign that has taken him from a maiden win at Doomben in November to two Group Ones in Sydney with a few interruptions in between.

Newham had to work hard to convince owner Paul Makin that the colt could run the trip and his win vindicated his judgment.

"I always thought he'd run it," he said.

"He's such a massive-striding horse and on a big track with room to move, I knew he could do it."

Victorian Oaks winner Special Harmony was trying to become the first filly since Research in 1989 to win the prestigious race but was never in it after knuckling over at the 800m.

Niello was trying to become the first horse since his sire Octagonal to claim the Classic triple crown after winning the Canterbury and Rosehill Guineas but he failed to go on with the job in the straight.

Australian Cup runner-up Delzao showed he was back in form with his three-quarter length third while Timbourina held on for fourth after tracking Braeloch early.

Makin said Starcraft would be aimed at the Cox Plate in the spring and then the Hong Kong International meeting in December after which he harbours plans to race the colt in America.

AAP

[imaufo]

April 10, 2004

WHAT the jockeys said following the Group One AJC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick today.

GLEN BOSS (Starcraft 1st): "I wasn't sure I'd won because they were so far apart. I thought I had but I wasn't going to go off until I was sure. It's just great to win for my old mate Garry (trainer Garry Newham)."

DANNY BEASLEY (Braeloch 2nd): "I picked up the tempo at the 1000 metres because I knew if I opened up earlier than they expected it was the only way, and I just had to hope he could outstay them. When I looked across on the line I thought he hadn't got me because Boss wasn't jumping up and down."

STEVE KING (Delzao 3rd): "He ran a super race. Today was his race but Starcraft was just too good on the day."

ROD QUINN (Timbourina 4th): "She ran terrific. It was a slow pace and she held on terrific."

PATRICK PAYNE (Elvstroem 5th): "It was an even run, he needed more kick at the top of the straight to win but he went okay".

DAMIEN OLIVER (Special Harmony 6th): "She worked too hard mid-race to finish it off."

DARREN BEADMAN (Niello 7th): "He just wasn't good enough on the day."

LARRY CASSIDY (Under The Bridge 8th): "He ran a lot better than he did the other day in the Rosehill Guineas and he will be a nice horse in the spring."

NASH RAWILLER (Dancing Daggers 9th): "I think he'll make a nice Cups horse down the track, he will stay all day."

COREY BROWN (Lord Of The Land 10th): "He has had enough and he wasn't quite up to them."

JIM CASSIDY (Penitentiary 11th): "He had a beautiful run but he never stayed."

DANNY NIKOLIC (Kind Act 12th): "He didn't run on."

HUGH BOWMAN (Kingside 13th and last): "He was caught three deep and he just hung the whole way."

AAP

[imaufo]

20 July 2004:

Trainer Garry Newham and owner Paul Makin will travel to New Zealand next week to allay security fears for outstanding three-year-old Starcraft.

The AJC Australian Derby winner will kick off an unorthodox spring campaign in the Group One Mudgway Stakes (1400m) at weight-for-age at Hastings on August 28.

It will be the first of two trips to New Zealand as the giant chestnut shuttles between Hastings and Melbourne in the spring.

Starcraft will be flown back to Melbourne for the $350,000 Group One Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 19 before returning for the $NZ1 million Group One Kelt Capital Stakes (2000m) at Hastings on October 2.

http://www.aapracingandsports.com.au/photogallery/medium/Starcraft-9468-16a.JPG

The $3 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 23 will be Starcraft's fourth spring run.

Newham, who has never been overseas, is leaving nothing to chance with Starcraft, rated the heir apparent to champion Lonhro.

Although the Mudgway is still six weeks away, Newham and Makin are concerned with New Zealand's wild weather and want to inspect stabling accommodation for Starcraft.

"Anyone can get to your horses these days and when you are racing for big money like he'll be you have to take every precaution," Newham said.

"We want to make sure he'll have the best possible security when he's in New Zealand.

"The weather also has been very bad over there and we want to check out the track as well."

Starcraft has been in work for five weeks and had his first serious gallop at the Gold Coast today.

"He only did a working gallop over 600 metres but everything is going to plan," Newham said.

"He'll have an exhibition gallop ten days before the Goldmarket and then Glen Boss will ride him in another gallop on Goldmarket day next month."

The $100,000 Listed Goldmarket Hcp (1400m) will be run at the Gold Coast on August 18.

Starcraft, favourite for Australia's champion three-year-old honours, is still carrying the legacy of a well-earned winter spell.
"He normally races around 535 kilos but he's around 560 kilos now and has some way to go yet," Newham said.

Starcraft won four of his five starts in Sydney and Melbourne this year, going under narrowly in his only defeat to unbeaten colt Reset in the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on February 14.

He then won the Group One Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm and Group Two Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill in the lead-up to his last-start AJC Australian Derby (2400m) win at Randwick on April 10.

AAP racing and sports

http://www.aapracingandsports.com.au/racing/

[imaufo]

By Ray Thomas

July 27, 2004

STARCRAFT's trainer Garry Newham is considering a Sydney weight-for-age spring program for his outstanding galloper if the big wet in New Zealand continues.

Newham and owner Paul Makin leave for a four-day trip across the Tasman today to inspect stabling facilities and security measures ahead of Starcraft's scheduled comeback in the Group One Mudgway Stakes at Hastings on August 28.

But continuing poor weather in New Zealand has forced the trainer to devise an alternative race program with Sydney his fall-back option.

Starcraft is a superior wet-track performer but Newham is mindful of asking too much of the chestnut first-up if the Hastings track is a bog for the Mudgway Stakes.

"I'm not too worried about the weather just yet, the race is still a month away, and we'll look at the track conditions when it gets closer to the day," Newham said.

"What I'm not too keen on doing is starting the horse first-up on one of those bottomless heavy tracks you can get in New Zealand.

"If it is like that, then we would probably take him straight to Sydney."

Newham said Starcraft had returned to training an even more imposing animal than the one who monstered his rivals in the Derby at Randwick last Easter.'

"He spelled really well and has come back in weighing 564kg. He's a much bigger, stronger horse now," he said.

"He was 524kg when he won the Derby but is going to race at least 10kg heavier as an older horse."

The Sydney Turf Club would give anything to have Starcraft among nominations for Saturday's Group Three $100,000 Missile Stakes (1100m) after receiving just six entries for the feature sprint.

Spark Of Life, winner of the Group One The Galaxy, heads entries alongside classy sprinters Into The Night, Impaler and Carael Boy.

Dane Shadow is one of two juveniles entered but the other, Eltonjon, is a highly unlikely starter.

The Daily Telegraph

[imaufo]

Casual but speedy gallop for Starcraft


Dual Group I winner Starcraft has galloped well at the Gold Coast this afternoon, despite being 'all boy' and star gazing for most of the journey.

Ridden by regular track rider Peter Cuddihy, the colt headed out in between races and worked over 1000m.

He was looking about and not concentrating at all, but the watch told the story.

Given a slap down the shoulder to make him get his mind on the job Starcraft was all class in the run.

He clocked 58.18 for the 1000m, the final 600m in 33.40, 400m in 22.29 and the last 200m in a sizzling 10.71, prompting Gold Coast caller Alan Thomas to say; "This is one serious horse."

Starcraft is expected to resume in the Group 1 Mudgway Stakes (1400m) at Hastings NZ on August 28, before heading to Melbourne for the Underwood Stakes, back to Hastings for the Kelt and then back to Melbourne to prepare for his ultimate aim of the $3 Million Cox Plate.

By: Jo Adams -www.racenet.com.au

Wednesday, 18 August 2004

[Handy Harry]

All Eyes on Trans-Tasman Clash in Mudgway



Friday, 27 August 2004: Everything is in place for the race of the year when leading Australian galloper Starcraft (NZ) (Soviet Star) takes on the best New Zealand can muster in the Gr. 1 Mudgway PartsWorld Stakes at Hastings tomorrow.

The role reversal, with such a horse crossing the Tasman in the opposite direction, is a promoter's dream for the race that ushers in the new season.

For many years New Zealand's leading horses have used the weight-for-age, 1400 metre Mudgway as the forerunner to greater deeds further afield, but in so doing never before have they been confronted by such a horse as Starcraft.

With victory in the Gr. 1 AJC Australian Derby and Chipping Norton Stakes heading his list of performances, the reigning Australian three-year-old of 2003-04 is indeed all that he has been cracked up to be.

Those New Zealanders lucky enough to witness his great run of autumn form plus those who have viewed him during the week he has been in New Zealand have some appreciation of his quality.

Without doubt his greatest admirer is his Queensland owner Paul Makin, to whom credit must go in deciding to bring Starcraft back to the land of his birth and 'share him with the people'. "I want as many as possible to see him race and realise what a great horse he is," said Makin in mapping out a spring programme that will hopefully culminate in victory in the southern hemisphere's weight-for-age championship, the W S Cox Plate.

Makin gets tremendous back-up, albeit less stated, from his private trainer Garry Newham. In his quiet, measured way, Newham guided Starcraft astutely through a three-year-old campaign that entailed travelling extensively on Australia's east coast. Now as he sets out on the next and even more adventurous stage of his career, Newham has been constantly at the big chestnut's side.

Twenty-four hours out from his four-year-old debut, Starcraft had done everything expected of him in his preparation, but even that left Newham wondering what the near future held. "He's developed so much from last season I don't quite know what to expect tomorrow," said Newham from Hastings today. "Last season when he was all legs and gangly he would take a little while to get organised in his races, but now it wouldn't surprise me to see him race handier.

"From his draw (12) I'd like to think he could race midfield, but it's important that there's plenty of pace on and he doesn't get forced over too much ground." Newham has no qualms about the left-handed Hastings track being the opposite to the horse's Gold Coast way of running nor the direction of all but two of his races. "He was definitely better left-handed in his two Melbourne races (which produced a Gr. 1 Debonair Stakes win and a second in the Gr. 1 Australian Guineas) and he's been right at home on this track this week."

First-time rider Leith Innes, who was suitably impressed when putting Starcraft through his paces yesterday morning, has pored over the Mudgway field since the draw was released on Wednesday and makes one significant observation: "I'm pleased to see Miss Potential also drawn out a bit (at 10). That will mean she won't get a soft lead, especially with on-pace runners like Kainui Belle keeping her honest from closer in."

A solid pace is also important for the horse considered the most serious threat, reigning Horse of the Year King's Chapel (King Of Kings), who was so impressive in his four-year-old debut at Taupo nine days ago. Initial plans to settle him back have been underscored by a barrier draw of 15 and an even or dawdling pace will make his task to get home over the top that much harder.

Whereas any softening of the track is unlikely to upset most runners, King's Chapel is definitely in need of a good track. "He's on the way down there now, but I'm hoping the weather they're predicting doesn't eventuate," said trainer Mark Walker this morning. "He won't be running if it's soft."

Hawke's Bay Racing general manager John McGifford is keeping his fingers crossed that the weather continues to hold as it has done all week. "The track is close to perfect with a day to go, so here's hoping," he commented.

A soft track would bring Irish Rover (NZ) (Kenfair) right back into the reckoning and provide relief for his jockey David Walker, who opted for the wet weather freak ahead of another leading candidate, Balmuse (NZ) (Lord Ballina). That horse, who will be ridden by Andrew Calder, has an exemplary formline and is considered by many as the one to upset the favourites. He returned to racing with a narrow win on unsuitable ground at the Grand National meeting at Riccarton three weeks ago.

King Of Them All (Royal Sceptre) also proved his readiness for the task at hand with an easy fresh-up win two weeks ago, while in the same race third placegetter Rosina Lad (NZ) (Faltaat) looked a definite improver. At peak fitness Sedecrem (NZ) (Faltaat) would be right in this, while memories of last year's Mudgway win by Miss Potential (Dolphin Street) are all that is required in assessing her chances.

Kainui Belle (NZ) (Kashani) has thrilled her connections in her build-up and fellow group one winner Surprize Surprize (NZ) (Prized) would have taken immense benefit from her recent fresh-up outing. Cedar Manor (NZ) (Oregon) faces a big task as the only three-year-old in the field, but he gave the impression of a horse with further improvement in him when he finished third in the weight-for-age Foxbridge Plate a fortnight ago.

By New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing

[Handy Harry]

wins @ 1.80

[Handy Harry]

28 Aug 2004

By Dennis Ryan

Champion Australian galloper Starcraft stamped his superiority with a superb winning performance in the Gr. 1 Mudgway PartsWorld Stakes at Hastings today.

The big chestnut turned on a brilliant performance to goble up the leaders Miss Potential and Kalamata and race away to a three-quarters of a length victory, completing a winning treble for rider Leith Innes.

Starcraft's effort proved the hype that has surrounded him since his Sydney autumn hat-trick which culminated in victory in the AJC Derby. The Waikato Stud-bred entire will now remain in New Zealand to complete the Hawke's Bay spring treble and then return to Melbourne for the Cox Plate in late October.

The best supported of the New Zealand contingent, King's Chapel, ran on late wide out for fifth behind Secedcrem.

[imaufo]

August 29, 2004

AJC Australian Derby winner Starcraft returned triumphant when he came from a seemingly impossible position to blow away his rivals in the group 1 Mudgway Stakes (1400m) at Hastings in New Zealand yesterday.

Last season's champion three-year-old, ridden by Leith Innes, was caught up in traffic in eighth place rounding the home turn but once in the clear produced a whirlwind finish which took him to the line three-quarters of a length ahead of Miss Potential.

Miss Potential looked to have the race won when she skipped clear in the straight but Starcraft ran right over the top of her and was streaking away on the line.

Outsider Kalamata was 1 lengths away third, with Sedecrem fourth and second favourite King's Chapel fifth.

"That shows how good the horse is, fantastic," said Starcraft's trainer, Garry Newham, who is targeting the WS Cox Plate in October.

"It's all ahead of him now. He got a bit blocked but once he got into the clear only five or six lengths off them I thought 'he won't get beaten from here'."

It was the entire's first start since his derby success at Randwick in April and took his record to eight wins and three placings from 13 starts for prizemoney in excess of $2 million.

AAP

[imaufo]

By Max Presnell

August 30, 2004

Starcraft's triumph in New Zealand on Saturday did nothing to dampen the resurgence in illegal SP betting and was another argument for the coming designated racing channel.

NSW punters had to take a tote price of $1.80 about Starcraft, whereas his New Zealand dividend was $2.70. Australians also had to watch the Sky Channel coverage of the race wedged between the usual information overload and other races.

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/08/29/30horse_narrowweb__200x383.jpg

Andrew Harding, the Australian Racing Board chief executive, confirms that SP operations are back, if not to the extent of the good old days. SP bookies have become another participant, like betting exchanges and Northern Territory bookmakers, feeding off racing's carcass without contributing to the sport's wellbeing.

Of course, wowsers proclaim that SP is against the law, but in the past many politicians, big and small, gambled this way because of its anonymity. Now, thanks to mobile phones and top odds, plus the old code of silence, SP bookmakers are getting customers.

Laws on how and where a punter can bet in NSW are confusing. The Sky Channel service adds to the mayhem. Sure, giving a prominent and quality screening of a major race also has its critics. They claim there are not enough dinosaurs left to cater for in this fashion. Today's punters, like the poker machine players, want the action plentiful and fast, with constant price updates and dividends more important to them than how a horse looks in the enclosure.

The vision splendid of Starcraft, powered this campaign by 38kg of extra muscle on his hindquarters, coming down the 367-metre straight in the Mudgway Stakes at Hastings, was all too brief, because of the quick switch elsewhere. At one stage on part of the screen the size of a matchbox, there was Starcraft's jockey, Leith Innes, unsaddling - a silent, brief flash among the conglomeration of dividends and price updates.

Fair enough. Sky Channel is catering to an audience. But surely there is room for something better: more time with Starcraft to savour an outstanding performance of a potential great. The $2.70, too, would have added to the moment.

[imaufo]

Owner Rejects $12m Offer For Starcraft

Paul Makin, owner of “Australia’s new super horse Starcraft (Soviet Star-Flying Floozie, by Pompeii Court), has rejected a $12 million offer for the 4YO racing & breeding prospect’� reported The Australian newspaper.

Makin revealed the offer “came from Australian-based interests� but would not disclose any further details. However Makin confirmed he “wanted to retain a substantial interest in Starcraft & would breed his own mares� to the triple Gr1 winner, who has 8 wins & 3 placings in 13 starts to date. (Aug 31)

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[imaufo]

By John Schell

September 13, 2004

A cross-Tasman dash this weekend will help Glen Boss decide on his Cox Plate mount, with the jockey set to partner race favourite Starcraft in the Stoney Bridge Stakes at Hastings on Saturday.

Boss will fly to New Zealand on Friday and travel by helicopter and road to and from Hastings before flying to Melbourne early on Sunday to partner Fastnet Rock at Caulfield that day.

But with the ride on top mare Private Steer, beaten in last Saturday's Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill, also on his roster, Boss said Starcraft's performance would play a part in devising his spring plans.

"Starcraft's owner, Paul Makin, has been great to me as he understands I have numerous other commitments," Boss said yesterday. "But I want to do the best thing by everyone and that means making a choice [for the Cox Plate] so everyone has time to make plans. Obviously the later the better for me, though."

Boss partnered the Garry Newham-trained Starcraft to win the AJC Australian Derby in the autumn but was unavailable when the four-year-old resumed to win the Mudgway Stakes just more than two weeks ago, leaving the ride to Kiwi jockey Leith Innes.

"Paul was happy for me to miss his first-up win in New Zealand and get back on for Saturday's race, so I want to make up for lost time," Boss said. "From what I saw of his Mudgway win he has come back in great shape and it's going to be a tough call for me to make regarding the Cox Plate."

Newham and Makin have pencilled in a start in the $1million Kelt Capital Stakes in New Zealand on October2, Epsom day in Sydney, as Starcraft's final Cox Plate hit-out, and Boss hasn't ruled out a trip over for that.

"I'm not 100per cent sure yet but with it looking likely that Private Steer won't start in the Epsom then I may well ride Starcraft in the Kelt," he said.

There's also The Metropolitan, Flight Stakes and Spring Champion Stakes, all group1s, run on Epsom day, but Boss said if Private Steer wasn't running there would not be as much holding him back.

"The Epsom would have been the main one, and as for the other big races I have Prisoner Of Love in the Flight Stakes, but she still has to get through the Tea Rose Stakes at Rosehill this Saturday first," the jockey said. "I've got some decisions to make."

Boss warned not to give up on Private Steer following her third place behind the John O'Shea-trained stablemate Falkirk in the Theo Marks Stakes.

"She went good, don't worry about that," he said. "Her finishing sectionals were good, just the way the race was run didn't really work out for her. She went about as good as I expected."

Private Steer is likely to next contest the group1 weight-for-age George Main Stakes at Warwick Farm on September25.

[imaufo]

Two things struck me after the race and having some time to reflect.

1. Starcraft isn't as good as we all think he is. He hasn't really beaten a good horse in his life. He got out kicked by Reset the only time he came up against anything really of note. Good horse but too many question marks for me.

2. In saying that, I think Miss Potential is a hell of a lot better than we all think. I wanted to take the 20's on offer about her in the Epsom but there is talk she may not come. She might run in that next race that Starcraft is in.

I think that if he handles the Valley, Grand Armee is the Cox Plate horse.

[imaufo]

September 19, 2004

The Sun-Herald


Outstanding Australian galloper Starcraft overcame a blunder at the start to win the $NZ120,000 ($113,749) Stoney Bridge Stakes at Hastings, New Zealand, yesterday in another impressive display.

Ridden by Australian jockey Glen Boss, Starcraft was hit by the starting gate as he jumped away in the 1600-metre event and stumbled, almost hitting his nose on the ground.

He picked himself up and, after settling further back than anticipated, started to mount his run around the field from the 800m mark.

The huge chestnut ranged up outside the leaders on the point of the home turn and looked likely to run away with the race.

But the pacemaking Miss Potential fought back gamely and made the finish interesting.

Boss had to ask Starcraft to produce his best and the four-year-old responded to win by a long neck.

Miss Potential was second, a neck ahead of Irish Rover.

The fast-finishing Lashed was only a long head back in fourth.

[imaufo]

By Andrew Eddy
October 4, 2004

Top: Private Steer completes her impressive work at Moonee Valley on the weekend.

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/10/03/starcraft_0410.jpg

Below: Starcraft is making a late dash to be
at Caulfield on Saturday.

Pictures: Vince Caligiuri, Glenn Taylor

Cox Plate favourite Starcraft will make a surprise landing in Melbourne tonight and is now likely to run in Saturday's Yalumba Stakes at Caulfield following his shock defeat in New Zealand on the weekend.

The four-year-old giant "self-destructed" according to jockey Glen Boss when he was beaten into second place in the Kelt Capital Stakes on Saturday in a performance that convinced his connections he must start again before the $3 million Cox Plate.

Jockey Glen Boss, who is still to choose between Starcraft and the mare Private Steer for his Cox Plate mount, told trainer Garry Newham and owner Paul Makin after his defeat at Hastings that a 21-day gap to the Cox Plate was not what the horse needed following his puzzling performance.

"The three weeks between runs is too long for such a big horse, so we are looking at the Yalumba this Saturday," he said.

Boss said Starcraft was on edge from the moment he laid eyes on him on Saturday, with the horse tossing him from the saddle before the field left the mounting yard. "It was totally out of character. He just self-destructed on me," Boss said.


http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/10/03/starcraft_narrowweb__200x300.jpg

Makin admitted that the performance, in which Starcraft refused to settle early in the race before pushing forward to take the lead midrace, was disappointing. "We are just a bit worried at the moment. We had a bad-hair day yesterday. He was a bit up himself," he said.

The owner said the fact that the public were allowed so close to Starcraft may have fired up the entire.

"Over in New Zealand, the public can pat the horses in their stalls all day long. We've had such an enormous response over there (in New Zealand) that we felt obligated to look after the public but whether or not that played a part in stirring him up, we'll probably never know," he said.

Boss will partner Starcraft in the Yalumba and Private Steer in the group 1 Toorak Handicap before making up his mind on his Cox Plate mount.

Private Steer's trainer, John O'Shea, suspects he will choose his mare after she galloped strongly at her first look at Moonee Valley last Saturday.

"I couldn't have been happier with her. She negotiated the turns really well and the surface," he said.

Private Steer has not raced for more than a month after receiving eight stitches in a gash on her hind after being kicked by a stablemate. But those worries are now behind her. "I think she would have to have another setback to miss the Cox Plate," O'Shea said.

Starcraft's conqueror on Saturday was the Kevin Myers-trained Balmuse, who leapt into Caulfield Cup calculations with the victory. The five-year-old winner of 10 of his 16 starts in New Zealand is due to arrive in Melbourne this week.

Tony McEvoy said yesterday he would wait until acceptance time on Thursday before making up his mind on whether he needed to run Confectioner at Caulfield this Saturday to ensure he gains a Caulfield Cup run the following week.

"I would prefer not to, of course, but if that is what it takes to make the field, then he'll probably run in the Winning Edge Stakes (2400 metres), although I'll also nominate him for the (wfa group 1) Yalumba Stakes (2000 metres)," he said.

The Yalumba, Winning Edge and Toorak Handicap (1600 metres) on Saturday will provide the winner with a ballot-free ticket into the Caulfield Cup the following week so McEvoy is concerned that if he waits and hopes that Confectioner makes the field, others may leap ahead of him in the order.

Confectioner and stablemate Hugs Dancer are both equal 24th in order for a start in the Caulfield Cup, which has 18 runners plus three emergencies.

The only international to tackle the Cox Plate this season is due to land in Melbourne later this morning.

The German galloper Paolini, who has raced in numerous countries, is currently ranked a $26 chance to win the Cox Plate on October 23.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/03/1096741897830.html

[imaufo]

By Craig Young

October 9, 2004




The Gai Waterhouse factor will be more a concern today than security for racing's Phar Lap lookalike, Starcraft.

Like Phar Lap, the strapping chestnut is dubbed "Big Red", but his reputation was tarnished last weekend after he became fired up in New Zealand. And if the "tough money" is correct, Waterhouse's slayer of giants, Grand Armee, will further dull the stallion's sheen during today's Yalumba Stakes at Caulfield.

Waterhouse carved up last weekend's "Super Saturday" meeting at Randwick, claiming two group 1s, despite the sensational scratching of Grand Armee from the Epsom Handicap.

Waterhouse is banking on Grand Armee improving her woeful record in Melbourne, with nationwide support for the gelding yesterday suggesting that her poor run there is about to end.

Bill Hurley's Australian Sportsbook recorded a bet of $20,000 to $10,000 about Grand Armee winning today, and the biggest bookmaking business in the country, Sportingbet, took one of $50,000 on Waterhouse's multiple group 1 winner.

Colin Tidy's HorseBet.com put up $3 and was claimed for a bet of $16,000 to $8,000, and another punter had $12,000 on Grand Armee at $2.70.

"It really surprises us, with Gai's record down south in recent years," Tidy's form guru, Mark Morrissey, said. "The professionals aren't scared of her bad run. We thought the public would come for Starcraft, but they haven't, and the money for Gai's horse has caught us off guard."

The outcome of today's race, won in recent years by Lonhro, Northerly and Might And Power, will all but ensure favouritism for the $3million WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in a fortnight.

Starcraft's tentative grip on favouritism for the plate vanished at Hastings last weekend when adoring race fans descended upon the four-year-old's stall and later roared their support as he walked into the parade ring.

Starcraft, for the first time in his life, went berserk. The Garry Newham-trained galloper tossed jockey Glen Boss and nearly trampled one of his two strappers.

To ensure his charge was ready for any eventuality today, Newham organised a track gallop for Starcraft at Caulfield on Thursday morning and made sure the horse also went to his race-day stall.

"He was cool, as calm as anything," Newham said yesterday.

"Security is a lot different over here. The public have got to stand back behind a fence - they had one at Hastings but the security was a bit lax."

Melbourne Racing Club racing manager John Faulkner said yesterday: "No one can get close to the horse unless they are authorised. It is more for the fans' safety than the horse's, but it works both ways."

Starcraft, who will be ridden by Boss, was partnered on Thursday by Damien Oliver, who had earlier ridden Grand Armee for the first time at Flemington and has the ride today, with regular jockey Danny Beasley suspended.




Racing: Champ back to usual self 09.10.2004

By MIKE DILLON

The Starcraft that was beaten in last week's $1 million Kelt Capital has been left behind in New Zealand.

That's the opinion of Australian trainer Garry Newham after he worked Starcraft at Caulfield on Thursday morning.

The jumpy, fiery Starcraft that contributed to his own demise in his big mission at Hastings has been replaced by the calm collected Starcraft Newham has always known.

"To make sure the Hastings episode will not be repeated we made a special trip from his base at Flemington to Caulfield to work him on Thursday morning.

"There were plenty of press there and plenty of hype, so it was a test for him and he just mooched around.

"He's been there before of course. He's raced at Caulfield and he just thought he was at home."

Newham said even the five-hour float trip from Hastings to Auckland last Sunday and the flight to Melbourne did not stir up Starcraft.

"What we saw at Hastings was a one-off."

Newham is confident his champ will bounce back in today's A$400,000 Yalumba Stakes, to the remarkable form he displayed before last week's glitch.

He judges that solely on the stallion's demeanour because he has been unable to give the horse speed work to assess his form.

"Because he raced last week and with the travelling we have kept him to just steady work this week.

"Damien Oliver rode him for the first time at Caulfield on Thursday and we let him stroll around from the 2000m, finishing off with just a working 200m."

Newham and owner Paul Makin were never in trouble for a A$3 million Cox Plate rider if regular jockey Glen Boss decided to stick with Private Steer because they had Damien Oliver on stand-by.

But it was still a relief that Boss was guaranteed when Private Steer pulled up "profoundly lame" after galloping Thursday morning.

"Both are outstanding riders, so we weren't worried, but it's nice to know exactly where you're going," said Newham.

Light rain in Melbourne had the Caulfield surface easy in condition last night.

"It feels like it will rain overnight, but I won't be worried," said Newham. "He has won on a track that was rated as slow, but it was actually heavy and he'll handle whatever they throw at him tomorrow."

[hobbes]

how did he do ?? Starcraft.

[cheesebeast]

Ran 3rd beaten a head and 1 1/2 lengths, was back in the run.

Hasn't beaten much this horse? Is a champion in its owners eyes though.

[Handy Harry]

If they dont kill him he will go better over shorter distances. That is if he stays in Australia. They are talking of taking him to Ascot to do a Choisir.

[Handy Harry]

By: Jo Adams - Saturday, 9 October 2004


Mummify on track with Freedman's 100th Group 1

Outstanding stayer Mummify signalled he was on track for a successful defence of his Caulfield Cup crown, after he today gunned down Cox Plate favourites Grand Armee and Starcraft to win the Group One $402,000 Yalumba Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.

The brilliant son of Melbourne Cup winner and Australian Horse of the Year Jeune, defied a betting drift as he scored his first class victory.

On the line the Lee Freedman prepared gelding held a narrow head advantage over favourite Grand Armee, while second favourite Starcraft was a length and a half back third.

Markets for next weekend's Caulfield Cup reacted strongly to Mummify's performance - cutting his price from $11 to $6.50.

He shares the second line of betting with Confectioner, while Elvstroem remains the favourite at $4.50.

Danny Nikolic, who was aboard Mummify, said the five-year-old was still capable of improvement leading into next weekend - a scary thought for his rivals.

"He'll be right in the finish in the Caulfield Cup," Nikolic said.

"There's still plenty of improvement in him."

Nikolic also commented that Mummify was also a genuine Melbourne Cup chance this year.

"The two miles of the Melbourne Cup will suit him this year as well," Nikolic commented.

Freedman, who celebrated his 100th Group One victory with Mummify's win, said his brilliant stayer would be also going into the Caulfield Cup in great shape.

"He's such a good stayer and he's just coming to his peak now," Freedman said.
"And he's going to take some beating next week."


"He's going every bit as good," Freedman said when asked how he compared going into the Caulfield Cup this year as compared to twelve months ago.

"He beat a crack field today and I would have thought there's also a little bit of improvement in him from today too."

Mummify is the star member of a sextet of horses Freedman bought for a combined total of $254,000 at the 2001 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale at Morphettville.

The group of horses, who also include proven Group winners True Glo (a handy fourth in today's Group One Toorak Handicap) and Sweet Corn, have earned more than $5.3 million.

Mummify's tally of dollars earned on the track has soared to $3,435,600 from his seven wins and 15 minor placings.


Joe Adams www.racenet.com.au

[imaufo]

By Craig Young

October 11, 2004

THE STING

Classic Caulfield is sick and not just because the track didn't help solve the WS Cox Plate puzzle on Saturday. A shallow-rooted winter grass called poana - the scourge of all turf curators - has invaded the course and work of the turf kind will start after Saturday's Caulfield Cup meeting.

Known as the Heath, the course proper for Saturday's Caulfield Guineas meeting was rife with bias, prompting Racing Victoria chief steward Des Gleeson to declare yesterday that "it is not ideal. It was beneficial to be up close and near the fence as the track chopped out, wide out".

Lack of root growth means Caulfield is the southern version of Sydney's very own Royal Sandwick, sorry Randwick. And we know form on the harbour-city track has been mystifying.

It may well be the same for Caulfield, for many punters left guineas day debating the merits of the performances. None more so than the effort turned in by Cox Plate favourite Starcraft when third to Mummify and Grand Armee in the weight-for-age Yalumba Stakes.

Now, there are clearly two Starcraft sides: the pros and the antis. Those who reckon Starcraft is overrated argue hype doesn't match deeds, while others say Starcraft is the real deal and it is only a matter of time before coltish behaviour is discarded and awesome talent realised. Little wonder, then, Starcraft's crew are leaving nothing to chance.

The previous Saturday at Hastings in New Zealand, the AJC Australian Derby winner imploded due to a crowd of well-wishers forming a crush in the saddling stalls, many leaving with a thread of Starcraft's tail. No wonder the horse went berserk.

The stallion's trainer, Garry Newham, was having none of that at Classic Caulfield. The fans lined up at stall 70, where the four-year-old's name plate was displayed, but Newham had Starcraft up in box 126 and all but out of sight.

So, no concerns about another meltdown, Newham confident Hastings was a "one-off" anyway.

But instructions were now vital and these had nothing to do with riding to suit the bias, but all to do with the horse's well-being, making sure Starcraft didn't fire up, dive into the bridle and give Glen Boss a torturous ride, as was the case at Hastings. Such a performance and Starcraft's Cox Plate aspirations were gone. From the outside barrier in the Yalumba, it was out the back for Starcraft.

While Mummify, responsible for a fine Caulfield Cup trial, and Grand Armee stalked leader St Reims before leaving it in their wake at the top of the straight, Starcraft was finding trouble out back. Boss had to hook out earlier than expected and Starcraft flew down the outside. A conservative 10 lengths was gained on the first two in the run to the post. Even so, Starcraft knockers found ammunition through the rich chestnut carrying his head on the side.

Boss called it a super Cox Plate trial and won't hear of Starcraft losing in the championship event. Boss may have something when you look at the ground his mount made up - but doubters remain: more after Classic Saturday's loss.

Even Damien Oliver, riding Grand Armee for the first time, was moved to point out "he [Starcraft] still has to get around Moonee Valley". Oliver's grin was that of a man confident a retraction would not be required.

Grand Armee raced on the best part of the track and up on the pace. A true weight-for-age horse, Grand Armee was unable to fend off a handicapper like Mummify, a gritty stayer of class and rock-hard fit, while Grand Armee was having start No.3 from a spell.

So there is still improvement in Grand Armee. It will be needed when things get serious in the Cox Plate as they charge up the Valley hill to the home bend. That Grand Armee will be in front of Starcraft must surely be a major bonus.

Add free-wheeling frontrunner Regal Roller to the Plate mix and you've got a slugfest. Young trainer Clinton McDonald has done great with Regal Roller, winning group1s from the front at his past two runs. Connections are tossing up about paying a $110,000 Cox Plate late-entry fee.

Then there's Caulfield Cup favourite Elvstroem, which beat Mummify in the Turnbull with much authority. Might Elvstroem - winner of the Victoria Derby last spring - be the Cox Plate smoky?

After all, this stayer wasn't part of the Classic Caulfield conundrum at the weekend.

cyoung@access.fairfax.com.au

[imaufo]

Gold Coast trainer Garry Newham has decided not to implement a major gear change on Starcraft for the $3 M Cox Plate and the stallion will not be wearing blinkers.

"I spoke to Glen Boss and he said to just leave him alone and not worry about the blinkers." said Newham.

"I don't think the Cox Plate is the time to start experimenting with gear.

"I thought his run was a very good one in the Yalumba Stakes, especially as the Cox Plate has been his main goal all along."

Newham has confirmed plans to bring Starcraft for his first look at Moonee Valley on Saturday morning.

The gallop will be a crucial outing for the chestnut but Newham doesn't believe the Valley will be a problem to him.

racenet

[imaufo]

Makin gives Boss seal of approval

Bart Sinclair in Melbourne, turf

23oct04

OWNER Paul Makin has left the door open for Glen Boss to come up with a dramatic ride on Starcraft in today's Cox Plate.



Makin yesterday rated Boss the No. 1 big-race jockey in Australia at present and expects him to shine in the challenging tactical test around the tight Moonee Valley circuit.

The Gold Coast-based owner conceded the Cox Plate was probably not the optimum race for such a long strider as Starcraft.

"I don't think this is the typical race for Starcraft. But this is the big race," Makin said.

"The circumstances have to be met. I've done some things differently with him this campaign to try to have him right on this day. We've set him some tasks.

"He's a big strider but a nimble, athletic horse. I do remember that horse of Bart Cummings (Shaftesbury Avenue) failed to take the first turn in the Cox Plate. So that's a worry. But I still see one alley as an enormous asset.

"And we have Glen Boss. He's proven to be the best Group 1 jockey in Australia in the past year. He knows I won't worry if he has to do something totally unexpected."

Makin said he had never backed Starcraft but he repeated his earlier comment he would have a $1 million bet if a bookmaker offered 4-1 ($5).

The four-year-old was easy in betting yesterday but $3.80 was the top odds.

"I rate him about 11-4 ($3.27). I made money all my life by getting overs. I missed the value when Starcraft won The Debonair and they bet 33-1. I haven't had a penny on him since," Makin said.

He and co-owner Wallace Chow stand to collect $2 million in prizemoney if Starcraft wins the Cox Plate.

The outspoken Queensland owner said he was a bit hasty to criticise Starcraft after he was beaten in the Yalumba Stakes last start at Caulfield. But he understood why some form students were bagging his stallion.

"After Caulfield I made the decision never to make a decision on the day of the race again. I was a bit cheesed off," Makin said.

"The fact Kingston Town wasn't quite as good at Caulfield but was a star in the Cox Plate comforts me quite a bit."

Makin is talking of an international career for Starcraft and even hinted strongly the Cox Plate might be his final run in Australia.

But all plans – and there are many options in Makin's thinking – depend heavily on Starcraft's Cox Plate performance.

There is hardly any reason to be focusing on an international campaign if Starcraft can't impose himself on the Cox Plate.

The Hong Kong meeting in December has not been ruled out but is a highly improbable goal, given that Starcraft has barely had any downtime in the past 12 months.

Makin is quite firm on giving Starcraft an opportunity to tackle England in the middle of next year.

Surprisingly, his choice of a target is the July Cup over six furlongs (1200m).


German trainer Andreas Wohler adds an international dimension to the Cox Plate with his widely travelled Paolini, largely ignored by punters to be out to $41.

Wohler rates Paolini a better Cox Plate chance than Silvano, which he brought to Moonee Valley to finish a game fourth to Northerly in 2001.

"Paolini is a speedier type better suited on the track," Wohler said.

It has been a busy year for Paolini. He won the Dubai Duty Free Stakes in March, but then flopped in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong in April followed by another poor effort in the Singapore Airlines Cup in May and a sixth at Longchamp last month.

[imaufo]

Starcraft raced through the pain barrier

Exciting galloper Starcraft ran third in the Group I Cox Plate last Saturday and the performance has turned out to be all the better, with the horse racing with a severe tear in the muscle of the pectoral region.

Starcraft was at the Veterinary hospital of well-known Melbourne vet Johnnie Walker to be checked out before spelling when the injury was discovered.

During routine examinations which involved checking for soft tissue injuries, a muscle tear was found in the pectoral region near the off fore leg.

The tear is 35mm in length and 10mm wide and Walker said there would be “no doubt this horse has worked through the pain barrier to run as well as he has in the Cox Plate�.

When injected there was a fair amount of brown blood released which indicated there was an injury there for some time.

Owner, Paul Makin, said: "It looks like it may have occurred in the Group I Mudgway over the 1400m at Hastings.

“That day his stride to catch the sprinting leader was awesome, but since that race he has obviously been feeling it.�

“It has stopped him from letting down at the end of his races�.

Makin believes that the racing public has not yet seen the best of the horse and now feels inclined to aim him at the Autumn in Sydney next year so that his many fans can enjoy him before he goes overseas.

By: Jo Adams - Thursday, 28 October 2004

[imaufo]

09/11/04


The managing owner of Starcraft Paul Makin has advised in a Radio Tab interview today that his top galloper may attempt to emulate the feat of his sire Soviet Star and be sent to Newmarket in England for a tilt at the Group 1 July Stakes run in July 2005. Recognised as Europe’s greatest sprint a stallion can achieve victory in, there is no disputing the race has been a wonderful barometer not only to a stallion’s ability, but also to their future stud career.

As a guide to that statement the Paul Perry trained Choisir ran 2nd in a July Cup in 2003 yet the son of Danehill Dancer stands for a service fee around $30000 due to a Group 1 victory at Ascot in England (Golden Jubilee Stakes) and a sole Group 1 victory in Australia of the 1000 metres Lightning Stakes at Flemington. Choisir does not even have any other family member in his first two generations who has earned black type status, so it could be argued he has a weak dam line – certainly inferior to that of Starcraft on a two out basis.

Paul Makin said it would be unlikely the horse would go over with Lee Freedman and indicated that if the horse went “he would most probably go to a Newmarket trainer�, but reiterated, “nothing was written in stone�.

Asked by interviewer Steve Hawkins had he got over his Cox Plate injury woes, Makin advised a physiotherapist had found “a one and a half inch tear in Starcraft’s off front chest muscle and that when a vet went to inject into it a lot of black blood came out of that injury, so it’s been there for a while� continuing by saying “he’s just come off bute� (phenylbutazone – a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug).

Makin stated that people still had “a few doubts (over Starcraft’s ability) and said I’d like to clarify that, so he may race on for another year�, indicating his Kelt and Cox Plate defeats had lessened the public opinion of the galloper’s ability. Makin stated that “whilst Starcraft got beaten by a length in the Cox Plate when running 3rd, maybe he should have won by 3�, obviously alluding to the significant off front muscle tear.

Asked whether Starcraft would ultimately be mated to Makin’s recently purchased multiple Group 1 winning mare Private Steer, Paul Makin replied “yes, I’d want to do that�.

On the subject of Miss Potential, Makin advised he had offered “$700,000 or $800,000 for her, but Bill Borrie( trainer/owner) wouldn’t sell her� continuing that “his (Bill Borrie’s) high opinion of her is probably justified after her top efforts in Melbourne�.

For my two bobs worth and after being a sectional times devotee, I think that Starcraft doesn’t run out 2040 metres. I think he would make a wonderful miler (1600 metres) anywhere in the world.

Could he win a July Cup at Newmarket or a Newmarket Handicap at Flemington? Of course he could. Top class gallopers can do anything and he’s not a champion but he’s certainly top class. I also think he’s even more effective on a wet track.

Would you like to back Shaftesbury Avenue or All Our Mob in a Flemington Newmarket? Well they both won that race because they were top class – not because they were great sprinters. Shaftesbury Avenue even had the audacity to win the 1991 Lightning over 1000 metres.

Choisir will go to his maker having only won two Group 1’s. Starcraft has already won 3 Group 1’s. Starcraft’s 3rd placing in the 2004 Cox Plate means in seven Group 1 assignments he has never finished further back than 3rd. He’s also undefeated at Group 2 level and he’s undefeated at Group 3 level. Wouldn’t you love a yard full of them?

Before you scoff at Paul Makin’s idea remember these words “top class gallopers can do anything�.

Also always remember that time honoured saying “it is better to have tried and failed – than never to have tried�.

Courtesy www.justracing.com.au

[imaufo]

Good luck to all the staff and connections.

Al


Courtesy of AAP Racing and Sports

Friday, 4 February 2005: Starcraft leaves Melbourne tonight to begin a new career in England and already he's impressed his new trainer, Newmarket-based Luca Cumani.

Cumani will end a skiing holiday this weekend to be on hand when Starcraft arrives following a 26-hour flight.

Starcraft's owner Paul Makin said Cumani has seen videotapes of Starcraft's Australian and New Zealand performances.

"He's seen the tapes and is very impressed," Makin said.

"Already he's thinking he might be as good as Falbrav."

Cumani won five Group One races with ex-Italian horse Falbrav in 2003.

Starcraft is progressing well since he suffered a chest muscle injury and a slight stress fracture in his shoulder after finishing third in the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley in October.

Private Steer, who Makin bought for $1.5 million after she was also injured last spring following her Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) placing at Rosehill, will leave for the United States on February 20.

Private Steer sustained a hairline fracture of the tibia during a training mishap when prepared by leading Sydney trainer John O'Shea.

"Both horses are still on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria and have been doing dressage to build up their muscles," Makin said.

"Starcraft has fully recovered and Private Steer was cleared three weeks ago, but I'll have her scanned again before she goes overseas."

Makin is undecided about Private Steer's campaign in the United States and will leave it up to her new trainer, Richard Mandella in California.

Mandella won this year's Dubai World Cup with Pleasantly Perfect.

"I'll leave all that to Richard but Starcraft will be aimed at the Queen Ann Stakes at York and hopefully the July Cup," he said.

Starcraft is likely to be joined in England by the Paul Perry-trained Fastnet Rock who will be trying to emulate former stablemate Choisir at Royal Ascot.

Choisir put Australian sprinters on the map in England when he won the Group Two King's Stand (1000m) and the Group One Golden Jubilee (1200m) in 2003.

He finished second to Oasis Dream in the July Cup before joining the stallion roster at Coolmore Stud which paid a reported $25 million for the son of Danehill Dancer.

[hobbes]

it would seem as though he has plenty of money in addition to being an idiot.

[imaufo]

G1 PRIX D'ISPAHAN MAY 22

Distance : 1850 m.

200.000-( 114.280, 45.720, 22.860, 11.420, 5.720)

Pour chevaux entiers, hongres et juments de 4 ans et au-dessus. Poids : 58 k. Versement Ã* la poule des propriétaires : 1.300 Ã* l'engagement ou 12.000 Ã* l'engagement le 19 mai Un objet d'art sera offert au Propriétaire, ainsi qu'un souvenir Ã* l'Entraineur, au Jockey et au Cavalier d'entrainement du cheval gagnant par FRANCE GALOP.

CHEVAL ENTRAINEUR

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CHARMO M. 4 ans 58 kg DEMERCASTEL P


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WEIGHTLESS GB H. 5 ans 58 kg PERRETT AJ


AUSTRALIE IRE F. 4 ans 56,5 kg GIBSON R


SUNDROP JPN F. 4 ans 56,5 kg BIN SUROOR S


TOGETHER F. 5 ans 56,5 kg

[imaufo]

http://racing.sportinglife.com/Racecards/0,12495,168784,00.html

Starcraft goes around tomorrow at Royal Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes. G1

£250000.00 added, 4yo plus, 1m, Class 1, £165810.00 penalty
10 runners

Going: Good to Firm


http://cache-1.sportinglife.com/pictures/general/allsportstarcraft.jpg

STARCRAFT HAS RAKTI IN SIGHTS

Click here for full racecard

Australian owner Paul Makin is hoping his horse Starcraft can make his mark in the Northern Hemisphere at Royal Ascot at York on Tuesday.

The five-year-old was a triple Group One winner Down Under before transferring to the care of Luca Cumani, and he will be making his European debut in the Queen Anne Stakes over a mile.

Starcraft is one of 10 runners declared for the race and he will clash with the mighty Rakti, who is himself an Italian import and was such an impressive winner of the Lockinge Stakes last time.

Although Makin is happy with the current good to firm conditions on the Knavesmire, he would not mind a drop of rain, which is forecast for the area on Monday.

"The ground won't be a worry but I don't prefer it, though, because he's a big horse. I would like a little bit of cut, but he can win on firm ground or bottomless ground really," he told At The Races.

"Luca thinks he will improve for the run, but we will just have to wait and see."

Makin has an unusual campaign in mind for Starcraft this summer as he is keen to drop him right back in trip to six furlongs for next month's Darley July Cup, even though the horse has been racing over 10 furlongs most recently.

He added: "I would like to go for the July Cup. I know it's over six furlongs and everyone thinks that will be difficult, but I'm trying to talk Luca into taking that challenge.

"I don't think the sprinters are that good this year and I think my horse might be pretty handy as he has broken 21 seconds over the last 400 metres of a race."

Rakti will be bidding for a seventh Group One victory in the Queen Anne after his five-length win at Newbury last time.

Michael Jarvis's six-year-old will clash again with John Akehurst's Mac Love, who was runner-up in the Lockinge, while the Newbury third Hurricane Alan also takes his chance for Richard Hannon.

The Andre Fabre-trained Valixir, winner of the Prix d'Ispahan last time, is the sole French raider, while German interests will be represented by Martillo, and Prince Kirk will race for Italy.

Hughie Morrison's Pastoral Pursuits, Henry Cecil's Akimbo and the Mark Tompkins-trained Babodana complete the field.

Ladbrokes and William Hill make Rakti 8-13 for Queen Anne glory, while Coral go 8-11.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing_new/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=racing/05/06/12/RACING_Ascot_Anne_Nightlead.html

[imaufo]

Courtesy of AAP Racing & Sports

Wednesday, 15 June 2005: Australian four-year-old Starcraft showed he could hold his own with top class European opposition when he made an impressive UK debut at York on Tuesday.

Last year’s AJC Derby winner finished a closing third in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes over a mile at his first start since he was beaten in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October.

Having his first start for top UK trainer Luca Cumani, Starcraft made strong ground over the final furlong to finish in the minor placing behind French raider Valixir and the hot favourite Rakti.

Ridden by Daryll Holland, Starcraft settled back in the field on the fence where he appeared uncomfortable racing inside other horses as the headstrong favourite Rakti took up the running at a fast pace.

Valixir, who had beaten Australia’s other globetrotter Elvstroem in the G1 Prix d’Isphahan at his previous start at Longchamp, stalked the speed and always looked to be travelling better than Rakti as they made the long run from the home turn.

However Holland angled Starcraft away form the rails with three furlongs to run with the big chestnut responding gamely once he had more galloping room.

While Valixir had Rakti’s measure with a furlong to run, Starcraft kept strongly to his task and took two lengths off the tiring Rakti in the run to the line to miss second by only a half length.

Cumani and Holland were thrilled by Starcraft’s effort.

"He ran really well for first time out, and he probably just needed it,� Cumani said.

Holland said Stracraft took his time to get into stride but was impressed by his finish.

"I'd really fancy him over a mile and a quarter,� he said.

"It look me a while to get him into his stride early. The loose ground could have blunted his early speed."

The highly-strung Ratkti, who had blown away Elvstroem with a record breaking win at his previous start in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, was up to his old tricks before the start when he took charge of his rider Phillip Robinson going to the barrier.

It took Robinson two furlongs to bring Rakti under control and it was obvious his pre-race temperament took its toll on him in the closing stages when he was under pressure.

In a post-race incident that would never be tolerated in Australia, Valixir’s joyous winning French jockey Christophe Soumillon threw his whip to the crowd as he celebrated the victory after passing the winning post.

The winner is trained by Andre Fabre for the Aga Khan.

[imaufo]

Plans in a stir as Starcraft fails

By John Schell

July 4, 2005

The European campaign of Australian galloper Starcraft was thrown into disarray when the AJC Australian Derby winner failed in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

Starcraft, a gallant third in the Queen Anne Stakes during the Royal Ascot carnival at York, was expected to be a force in the Eclipse on Saturday but was beaten a long way from home and laboured into sixth.

The race was won by the Kieren Fallon-ridden Oratorio, which downed odds-on favourite Motivator to inflict its first defeat.

Godolphin entrant Shamardal was withdrawn from the race with a leg injury that has ended its career.

Starcraft's headline-grabbing owner Paul Makin was unable to be contacted by the Herald in the wake of his four-year-old's failure. However, post-race reports indicated the multiple group 1-winner was not on his best behaviour.

"We lost the race in the parade ring," jockey Philip Robinson told Sportinglife.com. "He got too excited, simple as that.

"I travelled well and I was where I wanted to be, but his antics in the paddock took it out of him."

Darryll Holland had ridden Starcraft in his English debut, but Makin's concerns about the jockey's fitness resulted in his replacement by Robinson. Starcraft has previously become stirred up before his races and Robinson has a history of partnering an erratic galloper, top performer Rakti, which finished second under him in the Queen Anne after bolting to the barriers.

Starcraft hasn't raced in Australia since finishing third in last year's Cox Plate behind Savabeel.

Garry Newham, who prepared We Can't Say That to win at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday for Makin, trained Starcraft from the Gold Coast. However, Luca Cumani took over his training when he arrived in the UK. Makin rated Starcraft the best middle-distance horse in the country when he raced in Australia.

Meanwhile, big-race rider Chris Munce thinks he can farewell Australian racing with another feature success when he partners Stormhill in the Grafton Cup on Thursday week.

Munce will fly to Hong Kong in early August to prepare for his three-month stint as a club jockey and, while he's looking forward to that challenge, he has no doubt Stormhill can send him out a winner.

"He's a lovely horse. He feels as though he is really starting to hit his straps now, too," Munce said after winning on the Tim Martin-trained three-year-old at Rosehill on Saturday.

"I rode him in the Queensland Derby [when he finished fourth] and he feels like he has improved a lot since then. He relished the [wet] track and still has plenty of scope about him. He'll make a lovely stayer over time and the Grafton Cup is a good stepping stone for him."

Munce is on the lookout for a ride in the feature Ramornie Handicap, at Grafton the day before the cup.

Munce's Hong Kong contract enables him to ride from the start of its racing season on September 4 until the international meeting at Sha Tin in mid-December.

The Melbourne Cup, Golden Slipper and Cox Plate-winning jockey will take his family - wife Cathy and three children - with him.

Meanwhile, bookmaker Bill Waterhouse, father of Robbie Waterhouse, will join the interstate rails ranks at Sydney race meetings where he will stand alongside Con Kafataris, Luke Behrmann, Harry Barrett and Charlie D'Amore.

Waterhouse has been fielding in the outer ring, but increased turnover of late has led to his promotion to the rails.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/horseracing/plans-in-a-stir-as-starcraft-fails/2005/07/03/1120329328394.html

[phoenix]

Maybe the owner should join in?????

MIND GAMES FOR STARCRAFT
Starcraft will undergo "psychological training" before his next race after getting stirred up before the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park on Saturday.
Luca Cumani's Australian import was fractious in the paddock and required resaddling at the start.
Once under way, he raced quite keenly in touch with the leaders until weakening over a furlong out to finish a well-beaten sixth of seven behind Oratorio.
"He lost it in the preliminaries," Cumani said today. "He got very het up in the paddock.
"When the jockey got up he started throwing himself about and started sweating and was too keen on the way to post. The race was lost in the preliminaries.
"He's been fine at home. He's done it once before in Australia, but it is something we can put right.
"When you run the race before the race so to speak, you can only go so far in the race.
"We'll just observe him and give him a little bit of psychological training to make sure that next time he behaves better and then we'll decide where to run him next."
Starcraft holds Group One entries in the Cantor Spreadfair Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 27 and the Juddmonte International Stakes at York on August 16.
The Eclipse saw Vodafone Derby winner Motivator suffer his first defeat and as a result cause a shake up in the betting for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes later this month.
Cumani, however, will not be rethinking plans for his Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Alkaased, who is to bypass the midsummer highlight at Newbury on July 23.
He said: "Alkaased is having a rest and we'll prepare him for an autumn campaign.
"We decided on having a break now. There are so many big targets in the autumn and that's what we want to aim at."

[imaufo]

Starcraft's injury setback Jul 11 2005


Western Mail


PLANS for Starcraft are on hold as the Australian import has suffered a suspected stress fracture of the pelvis.

Connections of the five-year-old are likely to discover the extent of any damage on Friday.

Starcraft was a disappointing sixth of seven behind Oratorio in the Coral-Eclipse after finishing third to Valixir in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot at York.

That was his first start since owner Paul Makin moved him from Gary Newham's stable in Australia to Luca Cumani's base at Newmarket for a European campaign.

Cumani is hopeful the injury is not as bad as Makin fears, and is waiting for confirmation of the fracture before ruling out the five-year-old for any length of time.

"The horse has a suspected stress fracture of the ilial bone. It's not confirmed. He'll have another check-up next Friday and we won't know until then," Cumani told the Racing Post.

Starcraft holds entries in the Cantor Spreadfair Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 27 and the Juddmonte International Stakes at York on August 16.

Makin is hoping that Starcraft will recover in time to run in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Newmarket in September.

"The QE II at Newmarket sounds perfect for him. The strong mile there will suit him and Newmarket is my favourite course. I think he would go really well there," he told At The Races.

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0700sports/1200sportsroundup/tm_objectid=15721875&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=starcraft-s-injury-setback-name_page.html

[imaufo]

from http://www.racingxtra.com

Starcraft To Have Second Scan 22 July 2005


Multiple Group 1 winner Starcraft will undergo a second scan to ascertain the full extent of the pelvic injury thought to be behind his disappointing run in the Coral-Eclipse.

The Luca Cumani-trained five-year-old, who finished sixth of seven runners behind Oratorio at Sandown, suffered a suspected stress fracture of the ilial bone and underwent an exploratory scan last Friday.

Cumani revealed the injury is not as bad as first feared, but will send the Australian raider back to the vets next week in an attempt to get to the root cause of the problem.

"He still needs to be kept a close eye on but the early signs are promising," said the Newmarket handler.

"The scan last Friday was positive but another scan is needed in a week's time to help with our diagnosis."

Owner Paul Makin's initial prognosis was that his star performer, who finished a superb third behind Valixir and Rakti in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot at York, could be sidelined for at least two months.

However, Cumani refused to speculate on how long Starcraft will be sidelined until he has received the results of next week's scan.

"It's dangerous making predictions so I'm not going to even think about when he might return until he has had a second scan," added the Newmarket trainer.

[imaufo]

From Racingpost.co.uk


Starcraft grabs Moulin glory

by PA Sport Staff


CHRISTOPHE LEMAIRE made all aboard the Luca Cumani-trained Starcraft to win the Group 1 Netjets Prix du Moulin at Longchamp.

The five-year-old, sent off at odds of 13-2, grabbed the lead on leaving the stalls in the mile contest and kept on well to beat the fast-finishing Gorella (28-1).

The other British runner, Jeremy Noseda's Majors Cast, finished third while favourite Valixir was a disappointing fifth.

Starcraft was having his first start for 64 days having been sidelined by a stress fracture of his pelvis which was discovered after he finished a disappointing sixth in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes.

He bounced back in terrific style though, and never looked like being caught after the nine-runner field swung for home.

Cumani's charge was reversing form with Valixir after finishing third behind Andre Fabre's charge in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot at York.

Starcraft was having his just his third European start in the Longchamp showpiece having been transferred to Cumani's Newmarket stable from Australia by his owner, Paul Makin.

[hobbes]

Starcraft, starting at 7/2, put up a terrific effort to eclipse 6/4 favourite Dubawi by 3/4 lengths with 100/1 outsider, Blatant, third. 9/4 shot, Rakti, led them up but weakened when challenged by Starcraft. Dubawi set out after Starcraft and got within a neck but the giant horse held him out and drew away late.

QEII falls to Cumani's Starcraft --- By Brough Scott --- (Filed: 25/09/2005)

Big can be beautiful and they don't come much bigger than Starcraft, the massive New Zealand-bred globetrotter who hustled little Dubawi out of things at the end of an intriguinly dramatic Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes at Newmarket.

The intrigue came not just from the pre-race tension surrounding the tinder-box temperament of last year's winner Rakti, but from the decision of his rider Philip Robinson to tack up the centre of the course and of Frankie Dettori to follow him on Dubawi. Within a furlong of the mile run what had started as one six-strong race had been turned into two three runner contests racing 20 yards apart. Up front in the centre Rakit was blazing away as he had last year with the O'Brien horse Mullins Bay ahead of Dettori in pursuit. Dettori was taking his time. But was he in the right race.

For his pacemaker Blatant was setting his gallop for the other contest which featured Starcraft and Sleeping Indian. The mile here takes just under I min 40 secs to run but once they got into the second minute Dettori could see not only Fallon's arms pumping on Mullins Bay but Robinson beginning to show distress signals on Rakti. Dettori is paid big money to make decisions. A quarter of a mile out he made one. He was going across to the others.

The actual geometric truth as to how much ground he lost by this manoeuvre is probably not enormous but the impression that this may not have been the great Italian's finest hour was reinforced by the Godolphin team saying afterwards that the plan had been for Dettori to track not Rakti but his own pacemaker.

"I was meant to come on the stands' side," said Dettori afterwards "but unfortunately Rakti and the other one - Mullins Bay - took me too far across and I stayed put in the middle and got beat- it was a costly mistake. If I had been drawn better, it would have been easier to do what I had wanted. I wish I could ride the race again."

However when he and Dubawi first ranged alongside Starcraft the smaller horse still seemed to be cruising over his giant rival. Yet Newmarket's uphill final furlong is a place where you have to dig deep and the formerly Australian campaigned Starcraft is a honorary "Digger" in every sense. For a couple of strides he rolled across towards his diminutive rival but as French jockey Christophe Lemaire straightened him and cracked hard with his whip, Starcraft's huge chesnut stride bit hard into the famous turf and in the last hundred yards he was clearly the master and had almost a length advantage at the line.

The fact that the 100-1 pacemaker Blatant was only a length and a half away in third ahead of Rakti puts a query on the exact value of the form but standing along the rail in the final furlong was to believe both that this was an event fairly close to its "Race of The Season" billing and that Starcraft might have been too powerful for Dubawi whichever way Dettori had tacked from the start.

It's possible that the pair may renew rivalries in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont in five weeks' time although Paul Machin, Starcraft's colourful Australian owner, joked that whenever he flew over America he wanted the plane to keep flying faster. Whether they do or not Machin and Starcraft are already entitled to a real trumpet blast of history. Four years ago the owner bought a colt and a filly by Generous at the New Zealand yearling sales. Yesterday morning the filly won a $100,000 race in Victoria before her sales mate collected his 11th race in 21 starts.

Back in Australia, Starcraft's Group One successes had come at seven furlongs and a mile and a half as well as yesterday's mile.

The sadness of yesterday's transplanted Ascot Festival was how few fans were lured through the gates. Those who stayed away missed a marvellous race and, in Luca Cumani's handling of Starcraft, one of the great training performances of the era.

Machin had dispatched his horse north in the hope that the trainer could perform the same miracles as he had two seasons ago with Falbrav from Italy. Way back in January when he first arrived from the Australian summer, I caught a glimpse of this huge colt rugged and hooded against the cold. "I will have to take my time," said Cumani quietly, "but I think he has real talent."

When he stood in the winner's circle yesterday with an English triumph added to the French victory with a horse who had completely boiled over before the Eclipse Stakes, Cumani's gap-toothed smile had a serenity about it. He has won Derbys, Breeders' Cups, and big prizes all over. But nothing better than this. "It is good," he said, "but now I want to do it again."

[Seabiscuit]

http://www.racingpost.co.uk/news/rp_std_page.sd?psection=racingpost.co.uk&page=reports34

Lemaire shines as Frankie wishes he could try again

by Jon Lees

FRENCH jockeys have had a history of riding foul-ups on the Rowley Mile but it took a rider with no previous experience of the Newmarket racecourse to put right the reputation of his countrymen on Saturday.

Christophe Lemaire was watching from the stands when Thierry Thulliez endured the nightmare passage that resulted in defeat for the seemingly unbeatable Six Perfections in the 2003 1,000 Guineas.

On Saturday it was Frankie Dettori who experienced that particular bad dream when the Godolphin star Dubawi failed to follow the tactical blueprint his team had mapped out for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and so suffered a three-quarters of a length defeat at the hands of the Lemaire-ridden Starcraft.

Follow your pacemakerhad been the final order toDettori yet instead of tracking Blatant, Dubawi joined Rakti and Mullins Bay in breakaway group up the middle of the track only to end the race back on the stands side duelling with Starcraft though unable to match the finishing power of the Australasiangiant.

Philip Robinsons reputation as a master tactician probably played a part in tempting both Dettori and Fallon into following his path on eventual fourth Rakti but by sticking to the rail Lemaire found himself among the two outsiders for the raceBlatant - who was third at odds of 100-1 - and Sleeping Indian. When Dubawi joined them he was still travelling comfortably but the effort took its toll and after a brief challenge Starcraft began to pull away in the final half furlong.

Lemaire said: I didnt know Frankie was in the middle of the track and drawn two I had nowhere else to go anyway but I thought it was very important to keep him to the rail. Maybe Dubawi having to change his line cost him something at the end but my horse was very strong. I knew he was good because what he did in the Moulin was already great.

The winner of three Group 1 races in Australia, enterprising owner Paul Makin decided to widen his net by sending Starcraft to Europe to join Luca Cumani for whom victory was another feather in his cap.

We want to prove him to be the champion miler in the world and I think we are three-quarters of the way to doing that,said Cumani. I was not at all worried about putting up a jockey who had never ridden on this course before because he is a very good jockey.

Godolphin were looking forward to taking on Starcraft, who will need to be supplemented, in the BreedersCup but to do that they may have to raise their sights a little higher than the Mile.

Makin said: Its a short life and this is not a dress rehearsal so he may go for the Classic. Im only disappointed Ghostzapper was retired so Dubawi wouldnt be anything I would be worried about. He goes better on dirt and I would also like to take the Sheikhs money in Dubai in March.

A complete cock-upwas how Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford described a race which only 8,000 witnessed, a verdict Dettori went a long way to acknowledging.

Dettori said: I was on the best horse and I got beat - it is as simple as that. I was meant to come on the standsside but unfortunately Rakti and the other one - Mullins Bay - took me too far across and I stayed put in the middle and got beat - it was a costly mistake.

It did make the difference as I went 20 yards further than the rest, because when they died in the middle I had to come across to the standsside. I was drawn six and was told to come on the standsside by Sheikh Mohammed.

Accidents happen but it is so frustrating. If I had been drawn better, it would have been easier for me to do what I had wanted. I wish I could ride the race again.

[phoenix]

Visually the QEII was a bizarre race to watch (certainly the most bizarre Group1 that you will see in a while) / and on all evidence Dubawi was value 2 to 3 lengths better than the finishing grid suggests. ..... Muddling pace!!! and anything off the stands rail was in comparitive swamp land.

Overall speed was well below par for the grade ? -

Great to see the monster Aussie horse win (even though the owner is pondlife), but I would not want to go up against Dubawi again (especially anti clockwise around a tight US turf track) in the BC Mile.

[imaufo]

Maybe Starcraft was lucky to win...he has been lucky before ( the AJC derby was a bit lucky) But by the sounds of things he is back to his best...and when he was on fire early on in his career he really was quite special.

I like the horse and glad to see him in winning form again.

[imaufo]

Starcraft joins world-beaters


By Craig Young

September 26, 2005


THE STING

Taking on the might of European racing was never a worry for forthright owner Paul Makin. Not when the weaponry was a strapping chestnut named Starcraft. The stallion was plucked out of New Zealand as a yearling when Makin's Kiwi adviser reckoned this horse was a dead-ringer for Phar Lap.

Starcraft ain't no Phar Lap, but the five-year-old is now the king of European mile races. The stallion won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Newmarket at the weekend.

It was no fluke; Australia's thoroughbred stocks are now world-class, Caulfield Cup winner Elvstroem having won at the World Cup meeting in Dubai this year. The Caulfield Cup winner of two years ago, Mummify won in Singapore. Then you've got champion mare Alinghi, which blasted rivals off the track on debut in the US just over a month ago.

And now Starcraft has thumped them at Newmarket. The horse is now a dual group 1 winner in both hemispheres.

In fact, in Australia Starcraft is a three-time winner at the elite level, including last year's AJC Australian Derby when prepared by the Gold Coast-based trainer Gary Newham. Take a bow, Gary, for developing a thoroughbred world-beater.

And so, too, Makin, who made his pile betting on Hong Kong racing, where computer programs were developed. Makin honed and further refined the programs, then used them to extract many millions of dollars out of exotic wagering pools the envy around the globe.

Such success allowed Makin to invest in thoroughbreds and dream of conquering the world.

He gambled and won with Starcraft, leading to the question: what is Starcraft worth as a dual hemisphere stallion?

The success has resulted from Makin's desire that his horses take on the best from the top half of the world. He wanted to put Aussie thoroughbreds on the map.

Inroads had been made with the likes of Choisir winning at Ascot. That $20 million colt from the Newcastle yard of Paul Perry was the first Australian-trained galloper to win at Royal Ascot, to win in Europe. It opened the door.

Perry dared to go where no Australian had been before.

The win made it known that the colonials trained, bred and raced thoroughbreds of high class, but Choisir was a sprinter. Europe cares little for the short-course horse. It is about the classic horse, the stayers and the middle-distance gallopers.

Now they have Starcraft, ridden in the QEII by Christophe Lemaire. Left in the horse's wake was the favourite Dubawi, which had the backing of global racing giant Godolphin and the services of star jockey Frankie Dettori. The Italian, who once rode each winner of a seven-race card at Ascot, reckons he stuffed up on Dubawi.

Makin opted to send Starcraft to the world-renowned horseman Luca Cumani, based at Newmarket. Makin's plan was to win the QEII and Starcraft's win in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp in France was a bonus.

"We came to Europe to get this race," Makin told the assembled media. "I lived here for four years and I always wanted to win this race, and that performance was awesome."

What about the Breeders' Cup Mile in the US later this year? Makin will need to part with a six-figure late-entry fee for Starcraft to compete. Paul Makin is a gambling man.

cyoung@access.fairfax.com.au

[cheesebeast]

http://bigrace.attheraces.co.uk/images/video/starcraft.wmv

[imaufo]

Thanks for that link Cheesy...well worth a look if anybody hasnt yet seen the video. Now it looks as though he's off to Yankee Doodle country.


Breeders Cup Mile for Starcraft


The lure of being proclaimed “Worlds Best Miler� seems to be too much for owner Paul Makin to turn down with his 5 year old chestnut Starcraft now set to take on the worlds best in New York.

Having claimed champion miler of Europe status with a comprehensive win over Godolphin champ Dubawi in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Saturday, Starcraft is now set to take his place in next month's $1.5 million Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont Park.

Makin has already issued a challenge to the connections of Dubawi declaring, "I do not think Dubawi could beat us over any trip, ground or time,"

"He came over to join us in the race and actually hung into us, but then when our boy realised there was still a race, he pulled away.�

"Dubawi had his chance and had his ground. If Frankie can persuade the boss into a sporting wager, maybe we can get a match on.�

"It doesn't matter where it is or what the distance is, we'll just turn up on the day. It would give me a lot of satisfaction."

Makin will however have to pay either a $400,000 or $800,000 fee to run the son of Soviet Star in either of the Breeders' Cup Mile or the mile and-a-quarter Breeders' Cup Classic which will both be run on dirt.

"Money doesn't come into it with Starcraft and we'll have to go where our convictions take us, but I don't think it will be the Champion Stakes at Newmarket," he said.

"We brought him over here to race against the best in the world, not to take on pussycats.

Leroidesanimaux (the early favorite with English bookmakers for the Classic Mile) is one we'd like to beat."

http://www.ozeform.com/default.aspx

More: More articles for September, 2005

Race Betting: Place a bet with IASbet

[imaufo]

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

British influence declines along with its horses


ON THE RAILS, with MURRAY BELL


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The marvellous win by Australia's global roamer, Starcraft, in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Newmarket last Saturday was the latest evidence of a huge shift in the power base of world racing.

Starcraft, bred in New Zealand but raced out of Australia by entrepreneurial punter-businessman Paul Makin, won the second of France's big Group One Miles on September 4 before closing in on the QE II, the race that decides the title of Europe's champion miler.

It was just six months ago that another Australian, Elvstroem, upended many of the best milers from all parts of the globe in the US$2 million Dubai Duty Free.

And it's only four months since Britain's champion filly Attraction got well bashed in the Champions Mile at Sha Tin for daring to tangle with Bullish Luck and Silent Witness at her specialist distance.

Probably because it was responsible for the origins of the sport, three centuries ago, British racing has a well-developed sense of superiority. But it has been receiving more tests than were ever foreseen and suffered more failures than in its worst nightmares.

When another Australian raider, Choisir, conquered Royal Ascot on, not just one but two days of the meeting in 2003, it was largely seen by the British establishment as a one-off novelty that would help them promote their showcase meeting in future.

But two years down the track, Cape Of Good Hope pounded their self-belief again with victory in the Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup at the Yorkshire renewal of the Royal meeting.

That same honest and admirable Cape Of Good Hope hasn't been able to win a race here since October, 2002, but is the winner of the inaugural Global Sprint Challenge.

On the evidence from the QE II, defending its feature races is becoming a secondary problem for the British. Finding a field is a bigger and more foundational issue.

Just six horses took part in this year's QE II. Take out Aussie invader Starcraft and you have five.

The Dubai-based Godolphin operation had two starters, favourite Dubawi and his pacemaker, Blatant.

Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore team flew in Mullins Bay from Ireland, which meant that the entire British industry accounted for just two contenders, moody Rakti and John Gosden-trained Sleeping Indian.

Godolphin supremo Sheikh Mohammed has known for more than 20 years that British invincibility was a myth.

In 1983, he created his organisation to target the Group One races of England and Europe and, after establishing that victory was indeed possible, won 100 more at racing's premier level. The racing world is now his stage.

In Tokyo on Sunday, Silent Witness prepares to show that his title as the world's best sprinter is more than academic. Victory in the $12.7 million Sprinters Stakes will confirm to the doubters that, at distances of less than one mile, he is in a league of his own.

Silent Witness embarrassed Europe's best in each of the last two runnings of the Hong Kong Sprint. For Var, The Tatling, Royal Millennium and Osterhaze, a 1-2-3-4 result in France's number one sprint at Longchamp became a 10-12-4-11 disaster over a similar straight course at Sha Tin in the wake of Hong Kong's unstoppable force.

Silent Witness will have a worthy teammate in Tokyo in Cape Of Good Hope. The dual international Group One winner has had to bow to Silent Witness in each of their 10 meetings, but he's done the Silent Witness camp a great favour by giving them a much broader sense of what is possible.

http://racing.scmp.com/freeservice/news/news20050928c.asp

[imaufo]

http://www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz/international/default.asp?id=20204

Some pikkies


Racenews UK

A rematch between Starcraft and Dubawi could take place in the £350,000 Group One Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket, England, on Champions' Day, Saturday, October 15. Starcraft got the better of Godolphin's star three-year-old in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on September 24.

A total of 36 horses remain in the 10-furlong race following the September 27 forfeit stage and they also include Vodafone Derby winner Motivator, who is set to run in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

In addition to Dubawi, Godolphin has the 2004 Arc runner-up Cherry Mix, progressive performer Into The Dark, Group One winner Ancient World, Naheef and Lateen Sails. The Emirates Airline Champion Stakes is one of the few major prizes to have eluded the Maktoum family's operation

http://www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz/international/?id=20247

[imaufo]

Starcraft is likely to start in the Breeder’s’ Cup Turf Dirt .

Gold Coast owner Paul Makin has confirmed his dual European Group One winner Starcraft will race at the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Belmont Park, New York, later this month.

The only decision that remains to be made about the US campaign is whether Starcraft runs in the Breeder’s’ Cup Turf or on dirt in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Either way, the owner will have to first pay a late entry fee of some $800,000.

The late payment, however, is insignificant in comparison to Starcraft’s value as a stallion.

Makin said he had already knocked back a $16 million offer for the horse.

“There is no stud of any note that hasn’t been in touch,� Makin told Sky Channel.

While he doesn’t have a firm figure in mind, the owner said $20 million wouldn’t buy the son of Soviet Star.

After the Breeders’ Cup, Makin said he wanted to race Starcraft in Hong Kong at the International Meeting in December and possibly in Dubai in March.

Since leaving Australia Starcraft has raced four times, winning the GI Prix du Moulin (1600m) at Longchamp and the GI Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1600m) at Newmarket.

His only poor run came in the Eclipse Stakes after which he was found to have a stress fracture of his pelvis.

Starcraft had won four Group Ones in Australia including the AJC Australian Derby and was third in last year’s WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

[imaufo]

Latest News

Starcraft to Cheveley Park 2006

10 Nov 2005 (Local News)


http://www.racingandsports.com.au//photogallery/medium/2004/CAULUK_06443.JPG

World champion miler Starcraft will stand at Cheveley Park Stud in the United Kingdom for the 2006 breeding season.

Cheveley Park Stud is renowned as one of the most successful thoroughbred horse farms in Europe. Situated in Newmarket, England the ancestral home of horseracing, the stud extends to nearly 1,000 acres. Cheveley Park Stud itself is home to seven top class stallions, whilst the nearby Sandwich, Strawberry Hill and Ashley Heath & Warren Park divisions are used to accommodate the company's other bloodstock interests.

"We are truly delighted that we will be standing such a tough and genuine international champion miler as Starcraft with us at Cheveley Park Stud, a horse who possessed such an impressive turn of foot," Cheveley Park Stud Managing Director Chris Richardson said. "Starcraft defeated the best in both hemispheres and I am sure he will be well received and supported by European breeders."

Starcraft will join and all-star roster including leading UK sire Pivotal, sire of champion turf performers such as Golden Apple, Somnus, Kyllachy and Chorist.


http://www.iskanderracing.com.au/news/detail.asp?iNews=1334&iType=26

[imaufo]

Leg injury grounds Starcraft

Thursday, 28 December 2006

Plans to stand Starcraft at stud in the Northern Hemisphere this breeding season have been aborted after the multiple Group One winner suffered a leg injury on his way to the airport.

The six-year-old stallion, who is based at Arrowfield Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley region, was to make his second shuttle to Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket, England.

However, he sustained a laceration just below his off-hind hock during the float trip to the airport for his overseas flight.

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park, said Starcraft's absence would be felt by European breeders.

"It is obviously extremely disappointing for all concerned and we wish Starcraft a speedy recovery," Richardson said.

Starcraft campaigned successfully in Europe, winning last year's Prix Du Moulin at Longchamp in Paris and the QE II Stakes at Newmarket, both at Group One level.

He served 106 mares at Cheveley Park in the 2006 Northern Hemisphere breeding season and kicked off his stud career in Australia last spring.

The 2004 AJC Australian Derby winner stands at Arrowfield, home of supersire Redoute's Choice, for $33,000 including GST.

Starcraft is currently undergoing treatment for his injury at the Randwick Equine Centre.

http://www.aapracing.com.au/Story.aspx?page=RNS&id=8656