Stakes Potential for Stratum Mare

The opening race at Randwick on Saturday went the way of speedy Stratum mare Echo Gal, a $145,000 Magic Millions purchase for Star Thoroughbreds from the Newgate Farm draft.

The Gai Waterhouse trained mare stripped fitter at her third run back from a spell and appreciated the firmer footing to lead throughout and win the 1200 metre Benchmark 85 sprint by more than two lengths.

“She won the jump, controlled the race and showed a turn of foot,” said stable representative Mark Newnham.

“I think she’s been fit enough, she’s just appreciated getting back on a firmer track.

“Horses like her with a good turn of foot they generally like to use that when they get on the better ground.

“She’s probably up to a stakes level mares race so we’ll just see what’s on the calendar, there’s a few coming up and now’s the time to target them.”

The first foal of stakes-placed Encosta de Lago mare Pink Siris, Echo Gal has now won four of 14 starts earning over $270,000 in prizemoney.

A great favourite on Breednet, Echo Gal was the Reader’s Choice Favourite Foal in 2011.

Interestingly she was bred at Ascot Park on the outskirts of Sydney by Bob Hannon, the breeder of sold Cox Plate hero Shamus Award, who was selected as the partner for Pink Siris last year.

Already stakes-placed, Echo Gal looms as a potential stakes-winner this season for her sire Stratum, who stands at a fee of $33,000.