Impressive Debut Winner for Stratum

The famed Eales racing colours carried by Group I stars Shocking and Whobegotyou featured at Pakenham on Friday aboard an impressive debut winner by Stratum that has been entered in the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas.

Prepared by Danny O’Brien, three year-old colt Verstappen was sent out favourite for the 1200 metre maiden and proved to be in a class of his own.

He jumped fast for Damien Oliver and crossed to hold the fence, travelling comfortably up on the pace before accelerating down the running to open up and win by more than four lengths under hands and heels riding.

A $250,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Widden Stud draft for Danny O’Brien / Eales Racing, Verstappen is a full brother to stakes-winner Tawteen and half-brother to stakes-winner Well Sprung.

He is the fourth winner from four foals to race from US Group III winner Sprung (USA), a half-sister to Group I winner Tali’sluckybusride.