Blue Stratum wins again

Talented colt Blue Stratum made it two wins in a row with a narrow victory at Moonee Valley on Saturday, August 10.

Blue Stratum looked likely to score comfortably in the Dominant Handicap when he dashed to the lead in the straight, but then had to hold off a fast-finishing rival.

The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained son of Blue Point, a $6.50 chance, won by a short half head from Last Druid ($6.50) with Immortal Star ($5.50) a half-length away third.

Blue Stratum began well and was in the early rush for the front, but jockey Beau Mertens decided to ease and take a sit which proved a winning move.

The colt dashed to the lead turning for home then withstood a late charge to grab first prize.

Trainer Tony McEvoy said, from his vantage point, he thought Blue Stratum had won but admitted when watching the replay, the result had been closer but was delighted with the victory.

“He ran really well, and Beau (Mertens) rode him beautifully,” McEvoy said.

“He enjoyed Moonee Valley, quickened off the bend and held on which was important.

“He has got some speed, but I said to Beau not to just hand it (the lead) to them but make them do a little bit of work.

“It must have worked as the front runners finished behind him.

“We have got to get Blue Stratum out to further than 1000 metres and I thought when he won at Pakenham and rode him a bit more patient early he was good through the line.”

McEvoy said he would suggest to connections that Blue Stratum back up again next week in the Vain Stakes over 1100m.

“He has run well down the straight at Flemington, but for the present we will keep only up to 1100m.”

Winning jockey Beau Mertens said the race had worked out perfectly for Blue Stratum.

“On the bend I thought he was going to kick away and go on with it, which he did” Mertens said.

“Over the final stages I’m not sure if he was switching off but I got a bit worried as the runner up was finishing fast, but he still got the job done.

“My horse has a lot of speed and would have been happy to lead but when the pressure went on we were happy to take a sit but make them work a bit.

“That way we were able to sit one off and blend into the race.

“It worked out really well for him.

“Blue Stratum is a professional, does everything right and it was a good win.”