The Darren Weir trained Stratum Star scored his second Group 1 win with a hard fought victory in the $1m Peters Investments-Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot in Perth last Saturday.

Stratum Star, above winning the David Jones Cup at Caulfield, won the Kingston Town Classic at Ascot in a controversial finish. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Stratum Star has been a regular Group 1 performer since his three year old season and as a early four year scored his first Group 1 win in the $400,000 Anthea Crawford Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield during the 2015 Melbourne Spring Carnival.

But the win of Stratum Star ($10) was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Hong Kong based jockey Douglas Whyte who was charged by stewards for not riding his mount, second placegetter Scales Of Justice ($5), out to the line before being beaten in a very tight photo finish.

The $4.60 favourite Perfect Reflection with Perth’s leading jockey William Pike in the saddle was just over three lengths away in third spot.

Damian Lane rode Stratum Star hard to the line to gain the judge’s decision while it appeared that Whyte has relaxed a couple of strides from the post on Scales Of Justice but he pleaded not guilty at an inquiry in the stewards’ room after the race.

“I pleaded not guilty to the charge, I believe I did everything in the final stages to win the race and my mount lost no momentum in the finish,” Whyte told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Scales Of Justice’s trainer Lindsey Smith supported the former Hong Kong champion jockey and told stewards by phone that the result was the right one.

“It wouldn’t have mattered if he hit it two or three times,” Smith said.

The inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed to allow Scales Of Justice’s trainer Lindsey Smith and managing owner Chris Wells to be present.

Stratum Star had a quiet 2016 Melbourne Spring Carnival and Weir set him for the Kingston Town Classic after running second in the Group 3 $150,000 Yarramalong Racing Club Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on November 12.

Weir admitted that Stratum Star arrived in Perth a bit on the big side but tightened up nicely after some solid work and two barrier trials.

“When we got him here, he was a little bit tubby. So we gave him about half a dozen quick gallops and then we gave him a trial,” Weir said.

“But then his first trial showed he was a bit big so we trialled him again.”

Weir has several options with Stratum Star who could be set for either the Sydney Autumn Carnival or the Brisbane Winter Carnival with the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm a likely target.

“There are all sorts of options awaiting him. Sydney, Brisbane and I even heard someone talking of retirement, and when you think about it he’s a dual group 1 winner with a beautiful pedigree,” Weir said.

After winning the Kingston Town Classic, his second Group 1 win, Stratum Star has now earned $1,652,460 in prizemoney from a total of six wins from thirty-three starts.

Kingston Town Classic Results