Straturbo recorded his first race win for over a year with a professional performance in the 2016 Chief De Beers Handicap at Doomben this afternoon.
Straturbo returned to winning form with a victory in the Chief De Beers Handicap at Doomben this afternoon. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Straturbo was settled just behind the leader in the early stages of the Chief De Beers Handicap (1050m) and he received a lovely run in transit before jockey Robbie Fradd popped him off the rails in the straight.
Selita and Wicked Intent looked as though they were going to finish over the top of their rivals when they loomed on the outside, but Straturbo kicked away at the150 metre mark and was very strong on the line.
Fradd gave Straturbo a perfect ride, but he was quick to pay credit to the training performance of Gary Portelli and he said that he was pleased to receive the opportunity to ride the talented sprinter.
“Gary said to me that there is going to be a lot of speed in the race and just try to find a nice spot,” Fradd said.
“I got him going, I found a lovely spot and the tempo was good.
“When I peeled him out he just went whoosh.
“Thanks to Gary and his team.”
Straturbo had not recorded a race win since he took out the 2015 edition of the Magic Millions Sprint, but he put the writing on the wall with a close second behind Into The Red in the Listed Bribie Handicap (1050m) at Doomben on April 30 and connections were confident he would break through this afternoon.
Stable representative Sean Alder was thrilled to see Straturbo return to winning form and he indicated that the son of Stratum would have another race start during the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, but would head back to his home stable in Sydney between runs.
“It has been a while (between wins), but he tries every time and Gary has done a good job,” Alder said.
“It was very good.
“Gary will take him home, he always takes him home.”
Wicked Intent produced another strong effort to finish second for the second week in a row, while the well-backed Selita tired in the final stages of the race and according to jockey James McDonald may have bled during the run.
