New Stakes-Winner for Stratum

Macau – Golden Slipper winner Stratum featured on Sunday with a new stakes-winner after four year-old gelding Depot Beach took out the Macau Sprint Trophy Mac Gr 3 at Taipa, the victory providing a timely update for his weanling half-brother that will be offered at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale next week.

Prepared by Joe Lau and ridden by Ronny Stewart, Depot Beach went straight to the front and was never headed in coasting home to win the 1200 metre sprint by more than a length.

“He was originally bought for Hong Kong but had some vet issues and the owner Mr Au decided to send him to me,” Joe Lau said.

“I liked the horse from day one and at his second run for me he was just beaten by a top horse in Sino Brilhante in a Group Three race on the sand.

“He is a pretty useful horse and will only get better.”

Depot Beach started his career in Australia with Danny O’Brien and won on debut at Geelong before later placing at Moonee Valley. He was subsequently sold to Asia and has now returned his new owners a great result.

Bred by Widden Stud and partners, Depot Beach is the second foal and first winner for Sedoso, an unraced Viscount mare, whose grand-dam is Group I AJC Australian Oaks winner My Brilliant Star.

A terrific Black Type family, it has also produced Group I winners Shot of Thunder, Sudurka and Lachlan River.

Sedoso has a lovely weanling colt from the first crop of dual Group I winning sprinter Star Witness that will be offered next week at the 2013 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale as Lot 270 by Widden Stud.

Depot Beach is the 17th stakes-winner for Stratum, who stands this season at a fee of $38,500.