The rising sprinter Golden Straand maintained his momentum surge and is crafting a strong argument for stakes racing after a stylish conquest at Hawkesbury on Saturday.
Golden Straand tracked the leaders from behind early, with jockey Nash Rawiller carving the inside run as the potent four-year-old entire surged to the front in the Blakes Marine Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).
Handler Matthew Smith could opt to advance Golden Straand methodically through the ranks, though the speedster’s talent far exceeds the norm.
“Golden Straand is building a very good record and he’s winning his races with authority,” Smith said.
“He’s run fast time again (1m 02.82s) and he’s carried a big weight (60kg). I’ll talk to Nash to see what we should do next but he’s a promising sprinter.
“Do we keep working through the grades or maybe look at a race like the (Listed $200,000) Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) at Scone in two weeks? It’s a good problem to have.”
As the $1.80 favourite, Golden Straand earned his second success in as many runs this prep, defeating Wanaruah ($13) by a half-length to secure Snitzel’s quinella. Couples Retreat ($9.50) trailed by just over a length for third.
A four-year-old entire in Gerry Harvey’s colours, Golden Straand has five wins from 10 career starts, and stakes glory would markedly increase his commercial breeding appeal.
He has won four of six this season and set a Warwick Farm record of 1m 08.3s over 1200m in the spring last year.
Smith explained that Golden Straand always had the potential but is developing his racing smarts.
“He did a few things wrong early in his career,” Smith said. “But he’s starting to settle better in his races and he’s finding the line.
“There’s still improvement to come with this horse – he’s got a future, that’s for sure.”
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