Stratum Juvenile Lands Plunge

Landing a massive plunge at Cranbourne on Thursday for the Robert Smerdon stable was the Widden Stud sold Stratum gelding Salute to Jude.

Fifth when making his debut last month, Salute to Jude was backed in from $26 to start $4 favourite and despite jumping from an outside gate was able to take the 1200 metre juvenile open event by a length and a quarter after leading throughout.

Salute to Jude carries the Iskander Racing colours and was a $125,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Widden Stud draft for astute agent Paul Willetts.

He is the first foal of stakes-winning General Nediym mare Sienna’s Fury, so combines the blood of two great Widden Stud favourite sires being by Golden Slipper winner Stratum.

Stratum has had over 100 winners this season of $5.9 million in prizemoney and is currently ninth on the Australian General Sires List by earnings.

He stands this spring at a fee of $38,500.