Trainer Darren Weir has revealed Stratum Star will be on trial for a 2016 Stradbroke Handicap berth when he lines up for the Group 2 QTC Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Saturday.
Stratum Star is on trial for a Stradbroke Handicap berth when he lines up for Saturday’s QTC Cup at Eagle Farm. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Stratum Star has posted a number of typically smart results through five starts since returning this time in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) in February, but failed to make anything of an impact or beat a runner home in the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben three weeks ago.
Charged with carrying a topweight of 59kgs in the 2016 QTC Cup at Eagle Farm’s re-opening on Saturday, Weir told The Herald Sun he is hopeful the Stratum entire will return to competitive form in the sprint feature.
“He needs to improve, but if he bounces back to somewhere near his best form, it’s not out of his reach,” Weir said.
“We’ve accepted with him in case he gets the job done on Saturday.”
Weir is confident the addition of veteran hoop Dean Yendall to Stratum Star’s saddle for his run in the QTC Cup could mean the difference in a return to winning form.
“Yendall rode at Warrnambool for us Monday morning and yesterday at Coleraine just to test him out,” Weir said.
“Deano will be right. He rode Shades Of Bella well the other day and I reckon he’ll suit Stratum Star, his style gets him going.”
Posting a career total of five wins and a further twelve minors through twenty-six competitive starts, Stratum Star returned to racing in 2015 in particularly slick form; peaking in autumn with an impressive performance for success in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m).
Resuming in spring for third in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m), Stratum Star broke through for a maiden win at the highest level in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) before placing third in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).
Clearly requiring a run when seventh in the CF Orr Stakes first-up, Stratum Star progressed to second in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) and third in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m); placing a credible sixth in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) in his only start prior to the BTC Cup.
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2016 BTC Cup odds, for which Stratum Star can be taken at a generous quote of $13 for success.
