Stylish Debut Win for Stratum Filly

Sydney – 1 August, 2012

Fresh from siring his first century of winners, Stratum was back in the winning groove in the first race at the ATC meeting at Hawkesbury on Wednesday, won handsomely on debut by his three year-old daughter Queenstown.

A big, leggy bay filly, the Gai Waterhouse trained Queenstown trialled impressively on July 16 and ran up to that good form, jumping smartly and leading throughout for Tommy Berry to beat her stablemate All Enfield.

Queenstown took the 1200 metre fillies maiden by the best part of two lengths and both she and the runner-up, a full sister to Group I winner All American, look to have good potential.

“It’s a great way to start the season and they are both nice fillies,” said stable representative Mark Newnham.

“Queenstown has always shown us good ability from day one, but she’s a big filly and has taken time to grow into herself, so she’s done a good job today.”

A $60,000 purchase for Star Thoroughbreds from the Armidale Stud draft at the 2011 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Queenstown is the second winner from Zabeel mare Regal Heights (NZ), who comes from the family of Group I winners Serious Speed and March Hare.

Stratum made it a two state metropolitan winning double when five year-old mare Good Hunting broke her maiden at Eagle Farm, scoring by more than a length over 1500 metres.