Startrade ready to step-up in the Strickland Stakes

Startrade is making a step up in distance for Saturday’s G3 Strickland Stakes (2000m) at Belmont and trainer Dan Morton thinks he will handle the extra trip.

Startrade, a revelation since entering Dan Morton’s stable, is chasing two feature wins in a row after his upset victory in the G3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) last-start.

The Geraldton-owned son of Trade Fair steps into somewhat unchartered territory in the Strickland Stakes, having not won a race beyond the mile.

The half-a-million dollar stakes earner has won 13 races from 39 career starts, but has been most adept at races between 1000m and 1600m.

Morton says Startrade is in top shape and he’s looking forward to the six-year-old getting a chance to prove he can extend to a middle distance.

“I think it’s a winnable race for him,” Morton told The Races WA.

“I don’t know that he can’t it, we haven’t ticked that one off.

“But the indications are that he is training well towards it.

“As soon as I know I’m heading to a long one they start doing that longer stronger work.

“I reckon you get a good indication pretty quickly if they are going to cope or not.

“And he is coping well.”

Startrade won’t go close to replicating his Hyperion Stakes quote after he was sent out as one of the outsiders at $20.

He’s currently a $5 chance with Ladbrokes in the Strickland Stakes. Ahead of him is Hyperion Stakes runner-up, Dom To Shoot at $3 and Queen Alina $3.80.

Last Of The Line is $5.50.

Startrade will start from barrier two in the Strickland Stakes. Shaun O’Donnell has been booked to ride.

O’Donnell, a previous winner of the race, replaces Michael Poy who is attending a family wedding.

O’Donnell won the 2008 Strickland Stakes on Action Pak for trainer, Justine Erkelens.