Guy Walter’s dual Group 1 winning mare Streama could be a contender in this year’s Epsom Handicap 2013 after her winning Rosehill trial in Sydney on Monday morning.
Streama could be 2013 Epsom Handicap bound this spring. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.
A former boom three-year-old who won the 2011 Flight Stakes and 2012 Australian Oaks, the now five-year-old daughter of Stratum was on fire for her first official hit-out of the new season this week.
Taking on a crack field of fellow spring hopes, the Hugh Bowman-ridden mare won her 900m trial in a casual 56.50 seconds defeating the Chris Waller-trained Doncaster Mile winner Sacred Falls by a length.
The same trial also included Stephen Farley’s multiple Group 1 winner Sincero (3rd) as well as three other Waller runners with Queensland Derby hero Hawkspur (4th), seven-year-old Shoot Out (5th) and Ranvet Stakes champ Foreteller (6th).
“She jumped straight to the front and did it easily but they went pretty slow time and I don’t know that you can take much out of it,” Walter told AAP on Monday.
Streama enjoyed another consistent autumn – winter prep last season producing three more Group 1 minor placings.
She was third to her Myer Classic winning stablemate Appearance in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes in Sydney before a very brave fourth in the Doncaster.
Then it was onto Brisbane where she was third to the winning grey Linton in Queensland’s richest race, the Stradbroke Handicap, with her most recent run being a second to Red Tracer in the Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm on June 22.
While Walter is still mapping out the exact Sydney Spring Racing Carnival campaign for Streama, he has named the $500,000 Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 5 as a likely goal during her fairly light prep.
“She didn’t have long off and she will have a short spring in Sydney with a view to a more intense program in the autumn,” Walter said.
“The Epsom Handicap is one of the races she’ll be entered for in the spring.”
Streama is yet to run in an Epsom, the race won last year by the Gai Waterhouse-trained Fat Al who ran 12th three times and then 14th in their three runs after the Group 1 triumph.
Looking at possible first-up options Walter and connections are considering the $175,000 Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on August 24.
The 2013 Warwick Stakes is also the likely resuming assignment for Waller’s spring contingent including Shoot Out and Melbourne Cup-bound stayer Kelinni.
If not that race, then the lower-key $125,000 Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1300m) for the ladies only at the same meeting is also an option for Streama.
Follow the spring progress of Streama right here at Races.com.au.
Then to back her at the best prices throughout the carnival head to bookmaker.com.au where customers have access to the country’s premier range of fixed win horse racing odds
