Expensive yearling Running Tall has booked a start in next month’s Golden Slipper Stakes after a runaway win in the Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes at Flemington.
The son of 2005 Slipper winner Stratum cost $500,000 and made the investment look cheap when he speared away in the closing stages of Saturday’s 1400-metre feature to win by two lengths from stablemate Decircles with Grand Britannia a length away third.
His task was made easier with the late scratching of the favourite Helmet who became fractious at the barriers but Running Tall, ridden by Ben Melham, was a worthy winner.
Trainer Danny O’Brien said the colt had an interrupted campaign when he missed a run in the lead-up to last month’s Blue Diamond Stakes and expected the improved effort.
“He is a big, gross colt and probably needed the run in the Diamond but he stripped a lot fitter today and was dominant,” O’Brien said.
“It is three weeks to the Slipper and he has still got improvement in him.”
Running Tall will clash with unbeaten Blue Diamond winner Sepoy for the third time in the Slipper at Rosehill on April 2.
“No-one wants to be taking on Sepoy but you have to be there,” O’Brien said.
“He (Running Tall) has always shown plenty of ability and is a magnificent colt.
“He is bred to be a very good juvenile and he’s just starting to put it together now.
“The thing about the Stratums is that they are tough two-year-olds and keep getting better.”
O’Brien used Stratum filly Crystal Lily, who was unplaced in the Blue Diamond and won last year’s Slipper, as an example.
The Sires’ Produce Stakes was the first success in four starts for Running Tall and he gave O’Brien his second win in the feature after last week’s Australian Guineas winner Shamrocker won the race last year.
O’Brien said Decircles, who has raced three times, was an exciting Encosta De Lago colt and would have an extended break before the spring.
AAP TURF
