After winning two of seventeen starts, 6yo gelding Witchachar Star transferred to Chris Hyland, and the transformation has been spectacular.
In seven starts for his new stable, the son of Myboycharlie (IRE) has five wins and two thirds, culminating in a breathtaking success in Thursday’s $300,000 Listed Sungold Milk Warrnambool Cup (2350m).
With the field strung out over 50 lengths on the heavy track, Witchachar Star came with a sweeping run down the centre of the track under Beau Mertens to defeat the well-backed Nerve Not Verve (Shocking) by lone and a quarter lengths with the one-time Melbourne Cup favourite Constantinople (Galileo) a further six lengths back in third.
“He has just kept improving. We aimed low to get his confidence up, but he has exceeded our expectations,” Hyland said.
“His first win at Sandown, he smoked up too early like that, but he was travelling much better than anything.
“When that horse (Nerve Not Verve) came at him in the straight, I was a bit worried, but I think when you watch the replay, he had them covered, and I was worried about nothing.
“I leave it to Beau every time, and he has done a fantastic job.”
Witchachar Star advances his record to seven wins, one second and five thirds from 24 starts with earnings of $356,325.
He is the best of two winners from as many to race out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Witchuponastar, a half-sister to Listed winner Spinnawitch (Country Reel), who placed in the Adrian Knox Stakes and Keith F Nolan Classic.
Witchuponastar has a 2yo colt by Hualalai but has had no return for the last two years.
Witchachar Star becomes the 27th stakes winner for former Vinery Stud and Bowness Stud shuttler Myboycharlie (IRE), who now stands at TJK Karacabey Boarding Stud, Turkey.
