Te Akau Racing showcased another promising juvenile at Wanganui, New Zealand, as Star Witness filly Bellatrix Star triumphed in the season's first two-year-old race.
Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson introduced her at trials earlier this month, where she hinted at her potential by winning her heat over 650m at Te Rapa on August 1.
Starting from an outside draw in a six-horse field on Saturday, jockey Michael McNab positioned Bellatrix Star off the pace before making a wide move in the home stretch.
She managed to close the gap on Hard Attack, narrowly overtaking her rival at the finish line.
Mark Walker praised the victory, highlighting Bellatrix Star's determination in a challenging race over 800m.
Impressed with her debut, Walker and Bergerson plan to give Bellatrix Star a break before targeting the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) in January.
She was purchased for $80,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis from Phoenix Park's 2023 New Zealand Book 1 Sale draft on behalf of Fortuna Syndications.
Walker expressed confidence in her potential, emphasizing her size and scope for future development.
Fortuna Syndicate Manager John Galvin was pleased with her debut performance and sees her as a potential contender for the Karaka Million, a race they won in 2017 with Melody Belle.
Bellatrix Star is already registered for the Karaka Million and has likely qualified with her earnings, so the team will plan her races leading up to the event.