Trainer Lee Freedman has been thrilled with the results posted and form displayed by Strykum through her short racing career so far, and is confident the talented three-year-old is not out of her depth in Saturday’s Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) at Flemington.
Strykum has posted two wins through her four career starts leading into her return to black type company in the Cap D’Antibes Stakes, and clearly took great benefit from a brief freshen-up when producing a strong turn of foot late to take out the Quest Moonee Valley Plate (1200m) by a length and a half.
While yet to contest a race down the straight, Freedman told Racing Ahead he is confident the ability shown by the daughter of Stryker in work under the conditions suggests she will have no issue adapting to the unique style of competition.
“Very pleased with her,” Freedman said.
“I trialled her up the straight once before she one the Queen Adelaide (Stakes, 1050m) and once this preparation.
“She has a real liking for it in the trials and that should convert to race day and I think she’ll run extremely well.
“We’re coming back to the rail after a long lay-off and it was surprise me if the rail isn’t as good as anywhere and she’s a filly that can race on speed.
“She won’t be getting into a scrimmage back on the fence, she’ll be up tracking the pace somewhere.
“The blinkers have added another dimension to her too – she’s one of those rare animals that put blinkers on and it focuses her but doesn’t stir her up, which is the perfect scenario.”
Strykum will line up alongside the undefeated Petits Filous for the first time in the 2015 Cap D’Antibes Stakes, but Freedman is confident his filly is more than capable of handing the Ciaron Maher-trained runner her first competitive loss.
“I think this is a better race, Petits Filous has been very good in her three run,” he said.
“They all have good form but she’s improved too so I don’t really hold too many fears for her.”
Debuting for fourth in a Seymour minor over 1009m on December 18th, Strykum returned this year for success in the Listed Queen Adelaide Stakes (1050m) on May 2nd; progressing to a credible fourth in the Group 3 National Stakes (1200m) a fortnight later.
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2015 Cap D’Antibes Stakes odds, for which Strykum can be taken at a particularly generous quote of $15 for success!