Streama Wins Third Group 1 In George Main Stakes

Classy mare Streama recorded her first Group 1 win in open company in the George Main Stakes 1600m) at Royal Randwick this afternoon.

Streama

Streama will head to the Epsom Handicap after her George Main Stakes victory. Photo by: Steve Hart

Streama finished in the placings in both the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) during the 2013 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and indicated that she was ready for a big spring campaign when she finished a narrow second behind Veyron in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m).

The George Main Stakes was set up perfectly for Streama, with jockey Blake Shinn giving the Stratum mare a brilliant ride just behind the leader Veyron before timing his run perfectly to hold off the fast finishing Royal Descent in the final stages of the event.

Veyron battled on to finished third while the favourite Hawkspur, with Jim Cassidy on board searching for his 100th Group 1 win, was never a winning chance but made up good ground to finish four.

Trainer Guy Walter was quick to pay credit to the ride of Shinn and confirmed that Streama would head to the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) before being sent to the spelling paddock.

“She is a fabulous mare,” Walter said after the race.

“She had a very hard run at Warwick Farm but I think that she was a very fit mare that day.

“Blake rode her brilliantly and it is a great thrill to win this race.

“We are very fortunate to have him riding for us and he is a vital part of our team.

“We were only ever planning this race now and the Epsom and then we will spell her and bring her back for the Doncaster.”

Shinn was emotional after the victory and was clearly delighted to ride his seventh Group 1 winner for a trainer that he considers family.

“It is very satisfying,” Shinn said.

“Guy and Wendy are like a family to me up here and I they have really taken me under their wing.

“This is one of their favourite horses for a number of reasons and to get a victory in a big Group 1 race like the George Main is very special.”

Streama has been allocated 53.5kg for the Epsom Handicap but may receive a weight penalty after today’s impressive victory.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.