Arrowfield stallion Starcraft completed a Group winning double on both sides of the Tasman on Saturday.
Do You Think won the G3 ATC Bailleu Stakes at Rosehill and Starcheeka added another G3 in the Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes in New Zealand.
Do You Think (2c Starcraft – Chickens by Danehill) had won on debut at Canterbury on March 18 and he maintained an unbeaten record with a one length victory in the opening event on the Golden Slipper card.
He was a $360,000 purchase for DGR Thoroughbreds from Haunui Farm at the 2010 New Zealand Premier Sale. Trained by Bart Cummings for Dato Tan Chin Nam and Tunku Ahmad Yahaya, the bay colt may now head towards the G1 AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes and/or the G1 AJC Champagne Stakes.
“The Sires’ might be a bit quick but we will have a think about it,” Cummings said. “I think he’s got a good future.”
Shortly after Do You Think became Starcraft’s fifth stakeswinner this season, number six arrived at Awapuni.
Starcheeka (3g Starcraft – Born A Star by Canny Lad) led all the way in the Manawatu Classic for trainer Stephen McKee It was his fourth win for owners Peter Walker and Anthony Timpson. They bought him from Oakwood Stud for $200,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Winter weanling sale.
Walker is a well known New Zealand racing identity having owned star gallopers Tycoon Lil, Imananabaa, Bel Air, Sedecrem, The Gentry, Del Coronado and Kerry Lane.
Starcraft is third placed behind Stratum and Snitzel on the 2010-11 Australian second season sires’ list with earnings of $1.17 million. His other four black-type winners this season are G1 winners Star Witness and We Can Say It Now plus Listed winners Ain’tnofallenstar and Singapore Sling.
His Melbourne filly Hallowell Belle was also runner-up to Sepoy in the G1 MRC Blue Diamond Stakes.
Starcraft’s sole yearling for sale at this week’s Inglis Easter yearling sale from Arrowfield is the colt from the Sadler’s Wells mare Spirited Dancer (Lot 62).
Starcraft has nine foals catalogued for the upcoming Magic Millions National weanling sale – the same auction which three years ago produced Starcheeka.