Stratum 2YO Salutes

Sydney – Dashing grey gelding Divine Calling broke the ice at Canterbury on Wednesday for the Gai Waterhouse stable as a well backed favourite.

Second at his only previous start behind Diamond Oasis, who is set to run in the Group II ATC Pago Pago Stakes this Saturday, Divine Calling showed good improvement from that debut run.

He jumped well for Jim Cassidy and travelled smoothly in second place before forging clear to win the 1100 metre dash by the best part of a length.

“It was a terrific effort and he’s a nice gelding,” said Cassidy.

“It was a good tough effort and he found the line well.”

A $210,000 Magic Millions purchase for Gai Waterhouse and James Harron Bloodstock from the Baramul Stud draft, Divine Calling is by Golden Slipper winner Stratum from the Group II winner Rubicall, so is bred to be above average.

Stratum is having a great season with some 90 winners of more than $4million in earnings and will have a Golden Slipper runner in Group III ATC Skyline Stakes winner I’m All The Talk.

Stratum has a dozen entries for the 2103 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.