Another Widden Stud Bred Group One winner

Our former stalwart sire Stratum made it a week to week Group I double in Western Australia with Takedown successful in last week’s $1million Winterbottom Stakes and Stratum Star victorious in the $1million WATC Kingston Town Classic at Ascot on Saturday.

Prepared in Victoria by Darren Weir, Stratum Star had not won since taking out the Group III MRC David Jones Cup last year at 2000 metres, but his consistent recent form encouraged connections to have a throw at the stumps in the west with happy results.

Ridden a treat by Damian Lane from gate one, Stratum Star refused to be denied in gaining a nose win in the 1800 metre weight-for-age test over recent Group I WATC Railway Stakes Scales of Justice and last year’s winner Perfect Reflection.

Lane said Scales Of Justice gave him a few worries when the runner-up fought gamely in the last 150m.

“That was the key, a soft run from barrier one and he had the last crack at them and it all worked out perfect,” Lane said.

“I thought I had him easy at the top of the straight but at the 100(m), I didn’t know. Scales Of Justice kept kicking really strong and made a good fight of it.”

A $165,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Widden Stud draft for Rick Hore-Lacy, who prepared him for his first four starts, Stratum Star has the overall record of six wins and 15 placings from 33 starts with prizemoney topping $1.6 million.

The five year-old entire runs for a big group of owners, who include Widden Stud and is now a two time Group I winner having taken out the Group I MRC Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes in 2015.

Bred and offered for sale by Widden Stud, Stratum Star is the first foal of Pins mare Purely Spectacular, a full sister to stakes-winner Raid from the family of champion mare Emancipation.

Purely Spectacular is also the dam of stakes-placed Serenade by Star Witness and has a two year-old filly by the same sire and a yearling filly by Stratum.

Stratum has representation at upcoming sales with 10 youngsters in Magic Millions and nine for Inglis Classic.

Widden Stud have a sensational draft of 42 for the 2017 Magic Millions Yearling, click here to see them.