Stratum Colt Tests Epaulette

Melbourne –Group I ATC Golden Rose winner Epaulette was expected to score an easy win in the Group III MRC Guineas Prelude over 1400 metres at Caulfield on Sunday, but lightly raced Stratum colt Let Go Lenni made him work hard for the win.

The Mick Price trained three year-old broke his maiden last start with a dominant win at Kilmore at his second start, but was facing a sharp rise in class for this assignment.

Ridden a forward race by Craig Newitt, Let Go Lenni was in front with a furlong to run before Epaulette got serious and ran him down to win by half a neck in the last few strides.

A $130,000 Inglis Classic purchase for BC3 Thoroughbreds from the Widden Stud draft, Let Go Lenni is entered for the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas and can doubtless find other nice races he can win this spring.

Let Go Lenni is the first winner for metropolitan winning Peintre Celebre (USA) mare Celebrity Rose, a half-sister to South African stakes-winner Soweto Slew.