Blue Stratum cashes in

Blue Stratum overcame a wide draw to score an impressive maiden victory on the Pakenham synthetic on Monday, July 15.

Trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy have always had a good opinion of Blue Stratum and chose to run him in black type races for his first three starts.

Resuming from a spell, the trainers opted to give him confidence heading to Pakenham for the Tassie Fine Foods Maiden (1000m) which carried attractive VOBIS bonuses.

Ridden by Beau Mertens, Blue Stratum ($2.60 fav) was caught wide with cover early before dashing away in the home straight to score easily by two lengths from Skellig Rock ($5.50) with McKeyla ($61), a long neck away third.

Tim Hanley, stable foreperson for the McEvoys, said Blue Stratum had won impressively.

“It was pleasing to see him really finish that race off,” Hanley said.

“Blue Stratum drew wide, but it was a good ride by Beau to get cover early even though he was wide, peeled out and was too strong late.

“To see him really hit the line and finish if off strongly was very pleasing.

“The way Blue Stratum finished it off, hopefully he can get a bit further now.

“He was first up for quite a while so there is quite a bit of improvement to come.”

Hanley said it was a good prizemoney race for Blue Stratum.

“With all the bonuses attached I think it worked out to be about a $77,000 race for him.

“It was great to have a winner for First Light Racing. They have been a great supporter for a number of years.”

Winning jockey Beau Mertens believes Blue Stratum has a good future.

“Calvin said to let him flow from the wide gate and that is exactly what we did,” Mertens said.

“We were able to get three wide with a bit of cover and he did everything right.

“When I asked him to let down he sort of wanted to run in. He is still learning his craft, but he is only going to improve off that run today.

“He had a bit of a blow and still has natural fitness to come and that will bring him on a long way.

“He seems a like a progressive horse, and I believe he will go on to bigger and better things.”