Trainer Chris Waller has saddled an impressive quinella early on Stradbroke Handicap Day at Doomben this afternoon as classy gelding Strawberry Boy held on to beat German import Flamingo Star in the Listed Wayne Wilson Mile (1600m).
Strawberry Boy held off a late charge from stable mate Flamingo Star to win the Wayne Wilson Mile. Photo: Daniel Costello
Jumping from the gates well, Hong Kong-based hoop Zac Purton immediately led Strawberry Boy to the fore of the field of ten before setting only a fair tempo alongside the likes of Any Day Will Do and Kurtley; Flamingo Star tucked away in a perfect position just on their heels and on the rail.
Continuing to lead the field, the son of Redoute’s Choice steadily wound up and took only 100m to pull comfortably clear of the main field early in the final straight.
While appearing to have already sewn up the race with 300m to run, Strawberry Boy noticeably weakened over the dying stages of the 2015 Wayne Wilson Mile, allowing Flamingo Star to launch a late effort, but was far enough ahead to post a second-consecutive black type win.
In taking out the 2015 Wayne Wilson Mile, Strawberry Boy has now posted nine wins and a further eight minors through a total of 24 career starts, and has undoubtedly returned to impressive form since arriving in the care of Waller prior to the 2014 Spring Carnival.
Having won the Listed Ladies Day Cup (1400m) and finished third in each of the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m) and Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1500m) over summer, the six-year-old was unable to handle the heavy going late when sixth in the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) on May 15th but returned to winning form when taking out the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1600m) at Doomben a fortnight ago.
Posting several commendable results in his native Germany, Flamingo Star has been transferred to the care of Waller with a view towards Spring Carnival Group 1 feature races and has already proven he is up to the task.
Finishing outside the first three only a handful of times through eighteen career starts, the son of Areion finished eighth when blocked for a run in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) a fortnight ago and looks likely to now return to the paddock.
Local runner Epic continued the competitive showing of Queensland horses on 2015 Stradbroke Handicap Day; boxing on for third in the Wayne Wilson Mile.
