Third Group One Winner for Stratum

New Zealand – Progressive three year-old gelding Southern Lord provided Stratum with his third Group I winner when powering home at Otaki on Friday to score a stylish victory in the Group I Levin Classic.

Prepared at Matamata by Alan Tait, Southern Lord has been thereabouts in the good three year-old races to date and found his moment to shine in the $250,000 feature run over 1600 metres.

Allowed to find his feet early by Kelly Myers, he accelerated brilliantly in the straight to hit the front at the 250 metre mark before defying all challengers to win by half a length.

Southern Lord is headed to Singapore after a break to join the stables of leading trainer Mark Walker.

With the overall record of two wins and four seconds from eight starts, Southern Lord is raced by his trainer, who purchased him for $125,000 from the Bellagio Lodge draft at the 2010 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.

Tait and his wife Galene have been regulars at the National Weanling Sale and have tasted great success in both pin-hooking and unearthing future quality gallopers.

Bred by Bellagio Lodge, Southern Lord is the first foal of stakes-placed Rory’s Jester mare Angel’s Girl, who comes from the family of stakes-winners Adagietto, Emmalene, Bigelow and HK star Packing Winner.

He is the 15th stakes-winner for Stratum and is his third Group I winner joining Crystal Lily and Streama.