Labelled
a Breednet 'One to Watch' when scoring on debut at Wyong back in February, Star
Witness three year-old Firsthand kept his unbeaten record when resuming from a
spell to salute at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Prepared by Team Hawkes, Firsthand was entered for Rosehill and Moonee Valley,
with Melbourne winning out and a happy result followed.
Sent out favourite, he led for Dwayne Dunn and fought on to win the 1200 metre
sprint by a nose.
"I was able to lead and dictate which was what we anticipated," Dunn said.
"He wobbled around the turn a bit but once he straightened up he did it
well.
"He's pretty promising and will learn from the experience."
Wayne Hawkes also thought the win had plenty of merit.
"He's a horse going somewhere," Hawkes said. "But he's still a
baby, it's off-season and let's not get carried away. Really he's 12 months
away."
A $125,000 Inglis Easter Session II purchase for his trainer from the Goodwood
Farm draft, Firsthand is a half-brother to stakes-placed Bale Star and Public
Holiday being the sixth winner from Thanskgiving.
A placed daughter of Epsom Derby winner Generous (IRE), Thanksgiving comes from
the Great Klaire branch of the Eight Carat family that has produced Group I
winners Bonanova, Fraternity and Telesto.
Thanksgiving has been married to Star Witness in recent years and has been back
to him every year since Firsthand was born.