Talented four year old Stratum Star is a big firmer in the betting for the Group 1 $400,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Stratum Star has come in for some solid support in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
When the final field of sixteen plus four emergencies for the weight for age Memsie Stakes was released on Wednesday morning, Stratum Star was listed as the first reserve and was installed as a $12 chance with Ladbokes.com.au.
But with the early scratching of the number one saddle cloth holder Fawkner because of an extreme wide barrier, Stratum Star was elevated into the final field and has come in for some solid support.
The constant stream of money has seen the Darren Weir trained stallion’s price tumble into $9 on Friday morning and joins the Peter Moody trained Hi World who is also a firmer in from $9.50.
The Chris Waller trained four times Group 1 winner Boban heads the market order at $4.80 with the Kiwi four year old Volkstok’N’Barrell on the second line of betting at $8.
Boban’s stablemate Weary is also high up in the betting at $9.50 ahead of Entirely Platinum at $10 and Rising Romance at $11.
Stratum Star performed well at the highest level as a three year old during the Melbourne Autumn Carnival with four placings from four starts including two thirds behind Wandjina at Flemington in the Group 3 $150,000 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) and in the Group 1 $500,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) when he was beaten just over half a length.
Then at his final run before heading to the paddock ran second to Chill Party in the Group 2 $200,000 William Hill Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley on March 20.
“Against that age group I suppose he was around the mark, but, you know, he has got to keep making the step,” Weir said.
Weir was happy with Stratum Star’s first up run when two lengths seventh to Sentium in the Listed $120,000 Winslow Group Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 15 and is expecting him to measure up at weight for age and head towards the Group 1 $400,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 26.
“He ran well first-up and has taken great benefit from that run … so Saturday will tell us where we are at,” Weir said.
“He’ll run Saturday and then he’ll probably go to the Rupert Clarke, then the Toorak and maybe the Emirates. It would be good if he could measure up.”
Ben Melham will be having his first ride on Stratum Star who will probably settle in the second half of the field from barrier eight.
Memsie Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.80 Boban, $8 Volkstok’N’Barrell, $9 Hi World, Stratum Star, $9.50 Weary, $10 Entirely Platinum, $11 Rising Romance, $14 Charmed Harmony, $15 Temple Of Boom, $16 Smokin’ Joe, Happy Trails, $19 Petrology, $21 Sertorius, $26 Magicool, $41 Trevieres, Pressing, Setinum, $51 Dandino, $81 Prince Of Penzance.
