Australian Cup Next for Stratum Star

Five year-old Stratum stallion Stratum Star has seen a lot of Australia in recent months winning the Group I WATC Kingston Town Classic in Perth in December, the $1million MM Trophy at the Gold coast in January and now the Group II MRC Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield.

With Mark Zahra in the saddle Stratum Star defeated his fast-finishing stablemate Humidor by a long-head in the 1800 metre feature.

His trainer Darren Weir indicated the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 11 would be the next target for the 5yo son of Stratum.

“He is a good tough horse, a magnificent looking horse, obviously he is not going to be around much longer. There is a fair bit of interest from studs to stand him,” Weir said.

“I think he will make a great stallion and when you see him in the yard he is a beautiful horse, tough and sound.

“You’ve got to be a tough horse to do what he has done, he’s just got the best attitude, he’s sound and loves to work.

“He is the perfect horse really.

“We planned to run today and then onto the Australian Cup.

“He has to be a live chance in that the way he ran today.”

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 eight wins and 15 placings from 35 starts with prizemoney topping $2.3 million.

The five year-old entire runs for a big group of owners, who include Widden Stud and is 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.