Rod Quinn has ridden many top horses for trainer John Hawkes and declared Stratford was also destined for bigger things after an outstanding return at Rosehill on Saturday.
Stratford, having just his fourth race start and first since January, was confidently backed on track and didn’t let his supporters down as he steamed past his rivals to take out the NAB Corporate Handicap (1100m) by 3-1/2 lengths.
Straford wins impressively at Rosehill - Steve Hart
“I don’t think I have to say much,” Quinn said on returning to scale.
“He pretty much just said it all with his performance.”
Quinn, who has ridden outstanding gallopers such as Lonhro, Viscount and Align during his long career in the saddle, said Stratford “definitely feels like a top-grade horse”.
“He’s still got to prove it of course but he’s got everything there,” he said.
“He’s got the attitude, he’s got the ability, nothing concerns him, so he could turn into a topliner.”
As much as $13 was offered about Stratford earlier in the week and the gelding firmed from $5.50 to $4.40 on track as favourite Hurrara drifted from $3 to start at $4.20.
Having his first start since winning the Magic Millions Maiden at the Gold Coast on January 15, Stratford settled near the tail of the field but Quinn said he was always confident in running.
Stratford towed Quinn to the front after straightening and he raced clear over the final 200 metres to defeat Hurrara with Al’s Gold ($10) third.
Quinn was anticipating a first-up victory ever since he rode the talented three-year-old in a barrier trial at Rosehill eight days earlier.
“Even in the trial he gave me a good feel,” the jockey said.
“I got off him after that and thought he would just be winning wherever he went.”
AAP TURF
