Stratum Star handled the rise to Listed company when scoring in the Yellowglen Vintage Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Formerly prepared by Rick Hore-Lacy, Stratum Star joined last season’s premiership winning trainer Darren Weir at Ballarat.
Given a ‘kill’ in a Swan Hill maiden two starts back, Stratum Star was always earmarked by the stable for better company.
Stratum Star, Brad Rawiller
Ridden by Brad Rawiller, Stratum Star, backed from $5.50 into $4.80, scored a half-neck win over Manhattan Avenue (Craig Newitt, $26) with Kapset (Kerrin McEvoy, $21) two lengths away third.
Weir said Stratum Star was likely to return to Flemington for a couple of black type races during the Melbourne Cup carnival, suggesting the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on Derby Day or the Connoisseur Stakes (1800m) on Oaks Day could be on the agenda.
“We thought the horse was ready to take on a better race, but it wouldn’t have won without the 10 out of 10 ride he was given,” Weir said.
Rawiller has had a long and successful association with Weir and believes Stratum Star has a nice future.
“When I first rode him at Bendigo it was 1100 (metres),” Rawiller said.
“He had his chance but he gave me a feel that he had a bit of X-factor about him.
“It was a good race but he just didn’t know how to finish it off, so that is why Darren took him to Swan Hill.
“He got a good confidence win and then he was a bit stiff at Donald last time. It was the right time to come to town and he’s come up trumps, but that’s what Darren does.
“It was a good win today as we had to make a long sustained run and through the line was very good.
“The last 100 metres he was holding his speed pretty well and I’m looking forward to him getting to a mile.”
