The Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday was won by promising Star Witness filly Swift Witness, although the result of the race was overshadowed completely by a dreadful fall in the concluding stages of the race.
With runners crowded across the track over the final furlong, Xtremetime and Brenton Avdulla ran out of room on the fence with the filly clipping heels and falling heavily. Brenton Avdulla is reported not to have suffered serious injury although has gone to hospital for observation, however the picture for Xtremetime does not offer optimism, a tragic outcome for a lovely filly.
Swift Witness was having her first run since finishing last in the Golden Slipper and went forward under Tim Clark to race to on the pace albeit travelling deep all the way.
She stayed out of all the trouble down the straight and gave plenty to the line to win by half a length over Latino Blend with race favourite Four Moves Ahead in third place.
"I don't think she will get out over too far because she is so brilliant," said Gai Waterhouse, who will target the remaining legs of the Darley Princess series with a question mark on the Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).
"We will go to the Furious Stakes next because that is still at 1200 metres. Then we will think about the Tea Rose Stakes and whether we go to the mile for the Flight Stakes.
"But she is a lovely type of tenacious filly that we do so well with, the ones I love to have in our stable.
"She is back with a vengeance and will give them something to chase when they meet again."
Bred by Star Witness Bloodstock, Swift Witness has the overall record of two wins and two placings from six starts with earnings in excess of $278,000.
Purchased by her trainers for $260,000 out of the Widden Stud draft at Magic Millions, Swift Witness runs for a big group of owners including Frank and Christine Cook of Mystery Downs in whose colours she runs.
Swift Witness is a full sister to stakes-placed Terminology and is the best of three winners from winning Commands mare Taylor’s Special, a half-sister to the Group II SAJC Queen Of The South Stakes winner So Pristine, stakes-winner Restored and to the dam of the 2017-18 NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year Dijon Bleu.
A full brother to Swift Witness was bought by Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott/Kestrel Thoroughbredsfor $280,000 at Magic Millions this year and the mare has another filly to follow by Star Witness and is back in foal to him again.
Taylors Special was on-sold at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale this year for $250,000 to Platinum Breeding & Racing/Pinhook Bloodstock.
Swift Witness is the 21st stakes-winner for Star Witness, who has moved to Widden Stud Victoria and stands at a fee of $16,500.
