Stratum Colt Wins Run to Rose

Sydney – Brilliant Stratum colt Va Pensiero, a last start winner of the Group III ATC San Domenico Stakes, produced another sizzling performance at Rosehill on Saturday to win the Group III ATC Run to the Rose.

Prepared by Jason Coyle, he powered forward from a wide gate for Nathan Berry and kept going strongly to the line to hold off a determined challenge from Sebring colt Dissident, giving Widden Stud based sires the quinella in the 1200 metre sprint.

“He was great today and there was no late scratching either,” said Jason Coyle in reference to the fact that at his last start, race favourite Whittington came out before the jump with many judges feeling Va Pensiero’s win in the San Domenico was somewhat flattered by his withdrawal.

“He had to work hard to get across, so they didn’t give it to him. He’s a very good colt and has always been up against the good ones since day dot.”

Coyle was reluctant to commit to a start in the upcoming $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose over 1400 metres, but hinted that the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1200 metres at Flemington might be an option.

“We’ll take him home, see how he pulls up and talk to the owners,” Coyle added.

Va Pensiero was passed in at the 2012 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale when consigned by Brooklyn Lodge and retained to race by his breeder, which has proven a smart move as the three year-old has won three races and over $240,000 in prizemoney from just seven starts.

He is the second winner for smart Langfuhr (Can) mare Rosmarino, a good metropolitan winning grand-daughter of Group II winner Gelsomino.

Rosmarino has a yearling colt by Denman, but will not foal this spring having had a year off in 2012 and is booked not surprisingly to visit Stratum.

Va Pensiero is one of 19 stakes-winners for Stratum, who is the most successful sire son of Redoute’s Choice and stands at Widden Stud this year at a fee of $38,500.