Trainer Guy Walter has revealed that classy mare Streama could return to the races in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 15.
Streama recorded her third win at Group 1 level in the George Main Stakes during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo by: Steve Hart
Walter told Sky Racing HQ this morning that the Group 2 Breeders Classic (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 15 was another possibility for Streama, but said that he was leaning towards giving the daughter of Stratum another opportunity at Group 1 level.
“We are thinking about maybe running her first-up in the Lightning Stakes,” Walter said.
“It hasn’t been decided finally yet but it is a possibility for sure.
“There is a race there, the Breeders Stakes, that she could run in at set weights and penalties and I think that she would have 59kg.
“If we go that way second-up at Warwick Farm she would also have a lot of weight.
“The tracks and the weather will play a part in deciding where she will go as well.”
Streama had just three starts during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, winning the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) and finishing second in both the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), before being sent for a lengthy stint in the spelling paddock.
Walter said that Streama relished her time away from the stable and believes that the five-year-old is in the best condition of her career ahead of her 2014 Autumn Racing Carnival campaign.
“She has never looked better,” Walter said.
“As she did last time she has strengthened up a little bit and she has strengthened further now.
“This is the strongest I have ever seen her, because she is a mare that has never really had a big top on her at any stage.
“If last spring is anything to go on, she could be better than ever.”
The Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 12 is set to be the major target for Streama this preparation, but Walter has not ruled out a tilt at the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at the same venue a week later.
Streama finished third behind Appearance and Red Tracer in the 2013 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Rosehill Gardens before finishing fourth behind Sacred Falls, Pierro and Norzita in the Doncaster Mile a week later.
The talented mare has already had a great deal of success at the highest level of racing; winning the 2011 Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) and the 2012 Australian Oaks (2400m) before her triumph in the George Main Stakes last year.
