Stratum Star returned to the Group 1 winner’s circle in impressive fashion last time out and leads an impressive list of ten 2016 Summer Cup nominations; the feature reface at Royal Randwick on Boxing Day.
Stratum Star leads 2016 Summer Cup nominations. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Stratum Star has posted a number of standout results for trainer Darren Weir through thirty-three career starts; securing six race wins and a further fifteen minors.
Breaking through for his first Group 1 win in the 2015 edition of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), the Stratum entire resumed in spring for eighth in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) before a credible performance for fifth in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m).
Unable to make anything of an impact in the Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) on Derby Day, Stratum Star was settled in an on-pace position in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) and was well-suited to the tempo of the race when finishing a close second.
Rated only an outside chance in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) in Perth on December 3rd, Stratum Star was again placed close to the speed and was too good in the late stages of the race when he pipped Scales Of Justice on the line.
Centre Pivot proved that he is still up to the mark of stakes company at Randwick last weekend and is slated for a quick turnaround, after being included in Summer Cup nominations by trainer Peter Robl.
The six-year-old has steadily built to the take through three starts this time in and appears primed to be right in the finish of the Summer Cup.
Clearly requiring a run when fourteenth in the Listed Lightning (1100m) on October 15th, Centre Pivot was luckless in transit in the Listed Ladies Day Cup (1400m) at Wyong on November 3rd, but responded impressive for fourth in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) last weekend.
Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller is set to dominate the field of the Group 3 race after including Amovatio, Beyond Thankful and Loophole in Summer Cup nominations.
Amovatio has returned to racing in typically consistent form this time; running fourth in each of the Group 3 L’Oreal Paris Stakes (1400m) and Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m) before placing sixth in the Villiers Stakes most recently.
Beyond Thankful is set to face the biggest test of his campaign in the Summer Cup, but has finished second in the Listed ATC Cup (2000m) and sixth in the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) as his two most recent starts.
Loophole is yet to produce much through two campaign starts and might find the pending Summer Cup field too sharp for a return to winning form.
The 2016 Summer Cup field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday.
