Golden Straand wins again and is ready for stakes grade

Promising sprinter Golden Straand continued his form surge and is making a compelling case to be given his chance at stakes level after another brilliant win at Hawkesbury on Saturday.

Golden Straand settled back in the field early, jockey Nash Rawiller cut the corner and the powerful four-year-old did the rest as he strode clear to win the Blakes Marine Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).

Trainer Matthew Smith could let Golden Straand work through his grades but the sprinter is obviously blessed with well above average ability.

“Golden Straand is building a very good record and he’s winning his races with authority,” Smith said.

“He’s run fast time again (1m 02.82s) and he’s carried a big weight (60kg). I’ll talk to Nash to see what we should do next but he’s a promising sprinter.

“Do we keep working through the grades or maybe look at a race like the (Listed $200,000) Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) at Scone in two weeks? It’s a good problem to have.”

Golden Straand ($1.80 favourite) scored his second win from as many starts this preparation with his half length victory over another talented sprinter who is on the comeback trail, Wanaruah ($13) to give super sire Snitzel the race quinella. Couples Retreat ($9.50) was just over a length away third.

Golden Straand, owned by Gerry Harvey, is a four-year-old entire who has now won five of his 10 starts and a black type win would significantly enhance his value and appeal as a commercial stallion prospect.

Already this season, has won four of his six starts and set a track record at Warwick Farm when he ran 1m 08.3s for the 1200m last spring.

Smith said Golden Straand has always had the ability but is only now learning how to race.

“He did a few things wrong early in his career,” Smith said. “But he’s starting to settle better in his races and he’s finding the line.

“There’s still improvement to come with this horse – he’s got a future, that’s for sure.”