Strategic mare triumphs again

Bonny Strategic mare Platelet made it back-to-back G1 victories with a fast-finishing win in the G1 Goodwood over 1200m at Morphettville, May 11.

A last start winner of the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes over the same course, Platelet carried the same weight of 56.5kgs to this time beat the males in the G1 Goodwood.

The four-year-old mare proved too strong, coming from a midfield position turning for home with a strong run down the centre of the track to record a half-length win.

G2-winning Commands mare Altar worked hard early from an outside barrier to take up the lead. She fought doggedly in the straight and was only collared in the last 50 metres, holding on for third in what was her first G1 placing.

Platelet became the fourth mare in succession to claim the feature sprint following the wins of Velocitea (2010), Lone Rock (2011) and the great Black Caviar last year. Star galloper Takeover Target is the last male to win the G1 Goodwood, triumphing back in 2009.

Out of city-winning Dracula mare Bloodline, Platelet’s win took her record to seven wins from 19 starts and $945,000 in prizemoney.

The sire of four G1 winners including Champion two-year-old Meurice, Mistegic and Strategic News, Strategic will stand the coming breeding season at Northwood Park at a fee of $5,500 inc. GST while Commands, who has now had six G1 performers this season, will stand at Kelvinside at a fee of $55,000 inc. GST.