Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Unheralded four-year-old Strauny emerged as a giantkiller at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he caused a surprise in ending star New Zealand-bred pacer Tenzing Bromac’s unbeaten record in Western Australia.
Tenzing Bromac, with eight wins from eight starts in WA, was the $1.60 favourite from the outside barrier (No. 9) in the 2536m Support The Stud That Supports You Pace, with Strauny a $5.60 chance from the prized No. 1 barrier.
Chris Voak was able to set the pace with Strauny after he had defied an early challenge from Illawong Mustang. Tenzing Bromac began speedily, and Ryan Warwick quickly had him in the breeze. The aggressive Voak made sure that Tenzing Bromac would be tested by setting a fast pace and dashing over the final 400m sections in 28.9sec., 28.2sec. and 28.9sec.
Tenzing Bromac finished with great determination, but Strauny revealed a great fighting spirit by holding him at bay and winning by a head, rating 1.57.8.
Strauny has struck a purple patch since entering the Byford stables of trainer Peter Tilbrook, with the gelding’s five runs for Tilbrook producing four wins and a second placing.
“I broke in Strauny, who had a couple of trainers, including his breeder Wayne Morrison,” said Tilbrook. “Strauny won twice at Pinjarra for Wayne, who injured a knee and then offered the horse for me to train.
“Strauny is improving his speed and his heart rates are good. He has a future, considering that he has beaten a horse of the calibre of Tenzing Bromac. If he can win a couple more, he could earn a start in the Golden Nugget and other feature events for four-year-olds this year.”
Strauny is by Indomitable Saab, who finished third behind Dasher VC in the 2010 Golden Nugget and was retired with a record of 59 starts for 16 wins, 12 placings and stakes of $154,491. Strauny is the first foal out of the Badlands Hanover mare Caval Ridge, who had 60 starts for 13 wins, 13 placings and $59,239. Her 13 wins were in Queensland before she had her final three starts in WA for unplaced runs in December 2015.
Strauny, who has earned $43,354 from six wins and four placings from 20 starts, is raced by Morrison in partnership with Michael and Steve Giles and Steve Haines.