After a five month break it was a great return to to the racetrack for Stratessa who had too much class for her rivals as she swept home to win the TAC Be Races Ready BM58 Handicap at Hamilton today.
Henry was quietly confident that the 4YO daughter of Stratum would get get the job done as he eyes the bright lights of the city this campaign, however first-up from a long break at a track that doesn’t suit swoopers, he was just hoping to see her return with a strong finish.
He needn’t have worried as her class took her all the way thanks to a patient ride from apprentice Alana Kelly, who circled the field on the turn and gobbled up the opposition in the shadows of the post.
“I got a little bit further back than I wanted to be today as she just didn’t have the speed to be there early, but I was so happy with how she let down once she balanced up when she came up the hill and she then let down beautifully,” said Kelly.
Punters had every confidence in her ability to salute, sending her out as a $2.10 favourite and they enjoyed a collect in the last race of the day.
It was her second win from just eight starts, with the patience of her owners, that includes the Byerley Club with whom colours she wears, looking to pay dividends as she seeks bigger fish to fry moving forward.
“She was good today, she was never going to win by a big, flashy margin given she was going to settle back in the field,” said Henry.
“She’s done a good job to win, she’s had a nice blow afterwards as expected and today’s run would have taken a bit out of her also with the heat, so we will space her runs out this campaign and give her every chance next start.”
“Sandown mid-December will be the target for her with a run potentially in between, but there will certainly be more wins in her this preparation,” Henry said.