The reputation of the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale as a value buying auction received another boost on Saturday when quality three-year-old Starcheeka won the Group Three Manawatu 3YO Classic (2000m) at Awapuni.

Prepared by Stephen McKee and racing in the colours made famous by Sunline, Starcheeka proved too strong for his rivals in an impressive first time group race success.

The well regarded gelding cruised home under Hayden Tinsley to beat Endor (James McDonald) by a length and a quarter, while So Divine (Opie Bosson) was another long neck back in third place.

The Australian bred son of Starcraft was sold through the draft of Oakwood Farm at the 2008 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.

New Zealand based buyer Peter Walker went to $200,000 to secure the likely prospect and he now races Starcheeka with Anthony Timpson.

Walker, a well known thoroughbred identity in New Zealand, has owned or part owned star gallopers including Tycoon Lil, Imananabaa, Bel Air, Sedecrem, The Gentry, Del Coronado and Kerry Lane.

Starcheeka, now the winner of four of just 10 starts, hails from the family of Group One winners including Defier, Triscay, La Baraka and Demerger.

His dam, the Brisbane winning Canny Lad mare Born a Star, is the dam of three runners – all of them are winners.

Born a Star is from the twice Sydney winning and Gimcrack Stakes placed Marscay mare Salimar.

Starcraft, the sire of Starcheeka, was a former outstanding racehorse who won 11 races prior to being retired to stud.

He is now the sire of 46 winners including the stakes winners Star Witness, We Can Say It Now, Don’t Tell Mary, Ain’tnofallenstar, Singapore Sling and Saturday’s Rosehill stakes winning juvenile Do You Think.

Starcraft has nine weanlings catalogued for the upcoming Magic Millions National Weanling Sale – the same auction which three years ago produced Starcheeka.

Winner: Starcheeka (Starcraft-Born a Star)
Race: Manawatu RC Manawatu 3YO Classic G3 (2000m)
Sold for: $200,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Oakwood Farm (As Agent)
Buyer: Peter Walker
Earnings: NZ$68,100
Owner(s): Peter Walker & Anthony Timpson
Trainer: Stephen McKee