3 minute read

Swift Witness takes out an eventful running of the Silver Shadow

Swift Witness (3 f ex Taylor's Command by Commands) took out an eventful renewal of the Silver Shadow Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) on Saturday and in doing so became the 21st stakes winner for Widden Stud's Star Witness (Starcraft). The race however was marred by the fatal breakdown of Xtremetime (Extreme Choice) in the closing stages with his jockey, Brenton Avdulla, taken to hospital. 

The fillies' feature was a rough-house affair from the outset with runners jostling for positions in a moderately run race. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Swift Witness was having her first start since finishing last in the Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) last season and rounded the home turn three wide. She put up a good challenge in the straight and got up to score by a half length from Latino Blend (Hinchinbrook), with Four Moves Ahead (Snitzel) a close third. 

Waterhouse said the stable had been teaching Swift Witness to relax in her races and their work paid dividends on Saturday. The trainer believes the filly is a sprinter, although she hasn't ruled out extending her to a mile in the Flight Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m). 

"I don't think she will get out over too far because she is so brilliant," Waterhouse said. 

"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." 

Swift Witness was bought by her trainers for $260,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year from the draft of Widden Stud. She is one of three winners and the first stakes winner out of winning Commands (Danehill) mare Taylor's Command. 

Gai Waterhouse, Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds bought a brother to Swift Witness at this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and Taylor's Command produced another filly by Star Witness last year before being served by the Widden Stud stallion again last November. 

Having previously been based in the Hunter Valley, Star Witness will stand his first season in Victoria this year at Widden's new Victorian farm where his fee is set at $16,500 (inc GST). 

In the closing stages, Xtremetime appeared to clip heels and fall. There were immediate concerns for Avdulla's welfare as he lay motionless on the track before regaining consciousness. He was taken to Prince Of Wales Hospital for further assessment but on-course medics did not believe he had suffered any serious injuries.