Crafty Irna boosted Starcraft’s black-type record in the G3 AJC Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

The Arrowfield resident has now sired 7 stakes winners in Australian & New Zealand this season headed by Star Witness (G1), We Can Say It Now (G1), Do You Think (G3), Starcheeka (G3), Ain’tnofallenstar (LR) and Singapore Sling (LR).

Crafty Irna (3c Starcraft-Zirna by Deputy Governor) was greeted by a happy crowd of owners as she was led back to scale by Glyn Schofield at Randwick.

Pressing forward off a strong pace, Crafty Irna was left in front a long way from home but kept up a strong gallop to see off several closers.   It was an encouraging trial for the G1 AJC Oaks next Saturday.

The filly was bred and sold by New Zealand’s Westbury Stud for $125,000 at the 2009 NZ Bloodstock Premier yearling sale.  She is from high-class Kiwi mare Zirna who was a G1 winner of the Te Aroha Breeders’ Stakes and Singapore Gold Cup.

Crafty Irna is raced by Tim Noonan who hoisted trainer Ron Quinton in the air amid celebrations at Randwick.  Noonan part-owns the filly with Peter Kearney, Clement Lee, Tony Andreacchio, Tom Lamond, Paul Fitzgerald, Charles Dowsett, Paul Young, John Osmond, David Lamond and Ian Starke.

Starcraft currently sits third on the Australian second season sires’ premiership behind Stratum and Snitzel.