Smart Winner for Stratum

A $150,000 NZB Ready to Run purchase from Karaka last year, three year old Stratum colt Turquoise King opened his account with a dominant win at Sandown on Wednesday.

Prepared by Hawkes Racing, Turquoise King had finished second at the Geelong synthetic track at his only two previous runs and blossomed when sent out on the grass.

He pushed forward to lead from a wide gate for Dwayne Dunn and forged clear at the finish to take the 1300 metre contest by three lengths.

“He really doesn’t like the synthetic track, so it was good to come here and get him on the grass,” revealed Wayne Hawkes.

“He doesn’t like it in trackwork either and every time we work him on the grass he jumps out of the ground.

“He’s probably not far off going out for a spell, but will be a very handy horse next time in.”

Turquoise King was bred in Victoria at Rosemont Stud and sold as a yearling for $21,000 at the Magic Millions National Sale where he was snaffled by New Zealand Bloodstock.

Re-offered at their Ready to Run Sale a few months later by Phoenix Park, Turquoise King fetched $150,000.

Turquoise King is the third winner from Geiger Counter (USA) mare Girls Rule, a half-sister to stakes-winner Roll On Royce.

He is another smart winner for Golden Slipper winner Stratum, who stands this spring at a fee of $38,500