Golden Straand triumphs once more, set for stakes challenge

Exciting short-course runner Golden Straand has extended his hot streak, positioning himself firmly for a stakes-grade test after a commanding performance at Hawkesbury this Saturday.

Positioned midfield early on, Nash Rawiller swung the turn sharply and the robust four-year-old entire accelerated strongly to dominate the Blakes Marine Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).

Matthew Smith has the option of guiding Golden Straand progressively through the handicaps, but the gelding's superior skills are evident.

"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.''

Firm in betting at $1.80, Golden Straand grabbed his second win from two starts this preparation, edging out Wanaruah ($13) by half a length in a Snitzel quinella. Couples Retreat ($9.50) was a length-plus adrift in third.

Gerry Harvey's four-year-old entire boasts five wins from 10 starts overall, with a stakes victory poised to elevate his stud value considerably.

During the current campaign, he has triumphed in four of six races and broke the Warwick Farm track record last spring with 1m 08.3s for 1200m.

According to Smith, Golden Straand possessed the raw ability from the outset but is refining his racing manners now.

"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.''

Head to online bookmakers for racing betting markets on potential stakes targets like the Luskin Star Stakes.