By Tom Frary
Anthony Oppenheimer's Star Catcher (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) had been slow to learn when sixth over a mile on debut on Chelmsford's Polytrack five days before Christmas, but the John Gosden trainee attracted significant support as she had done on that occasion for an important 10-furlong maiden hosted at Newbury on Friday and showed why with a performance of real substance. Sent off the 10-11 favourite, the bay was keen initially before being granted a lead and travelled strongly to the front inside the final half mile. Outstaying Sashenka (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) in the last quarter mile, the homebred registered an authoritative 4 1/2-length success, with the field spread out behind.
Star Catcher was winning the same maiden as the future Oaks heroines Eswarah (GB) (Unfuwain) and Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) here and in which her stablemate Lah Ti Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) made such a strong impression 12 months ago. “She was green first time out, but she has learnt a lot there,” Gosden said. “She has got a lot of strengthening and development to do. She handled the ground well. We will look at one of the Oaks trials in early May. I could see her as a filly getting better in the autumn.”
The dam, who is owned by the Oppenheimers, is already responsible for the G2 Prix Eugene Adam and G3 Tercentenary S. winner Pisco Sour (Lemon Drop Kid), GSW-Eng & Fr, $412,610, and his even more accomplished full-brother Cannock Chase, who also took Royal Ascot's Tercentenary as well as the G3 Huxley S. before winning the GI Canadian International, GISW-Can & MGSW-Eng, $680,268. She is a half-sister to the sire Lord Admiral (El Prado {Ire}), a classy performer to race in the silks of the Late Dr Vincent O'Brien and who carried them to success in the G3 Ballycorus S., G2 Jebel Hatta and G3 Al Rashidiya and who was placed in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. Her 2-year-old filly Maurimo (GB) is by Kingman (GB), while she also has a yearling filly by Frankel (GB).
6th-Newbury, £8,550, Mdn, 4-12, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:15.88, sf.
STAR CATCHER (GB) (f, 3, Sea the Stars {Ire}–Lynnwood Chase, by Horse Chestnut {SAf}) Sales history: 240,000gns Wlg '16 TATFOA. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $7,217. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Mr A. E. Oppenheimer; B-Hascombe and Valiant Studs (GB); T-John Gosden.
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