Weir pushes on despite distance query for Star

STRATUM Star will be part of Darren Weir’s strong attack on Saturday’s Gold Coast MM race day despite the trainer having reservations about him tackling 2200m.

The Darren Weir-trained Stratum Star will attempt 2200m for the first time when he ventures to the Gold Coast this weekend. Picture: Simon Merritt

LAST start Group 1 winner Stratum Star will be part of Darren Weir’s strong attack on next Saturday’s Gold Coast Magic Millions race day despite the trainer having reservations about him tackling 2200m for the first time.

Weir has elected to tackle the $1 million Gold Coast Stayers’ Cup (2200m) with Stratum Star, who at his last start won the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot.

Weir initially thought the race was over 2000m as the distance had been increased from 1800m for this year’s event but he didn’t realise it had been increased by 400m to 2200m.

Weir said when he found the race was 2200m he considered giving Stratum Star a let-up and setting him for the Australian Cup instead.

“He’s going well and it’s a $1 million race and he runs well in whatever you put him in,” Weir said.

“If it was 2000m I wouldn’t have a worry. At 2200m if he draws a barrier it won’t be a problem but if he doesn’t it could be,” he said.

Stratum Star will carry 61kg and will be ridden by Damian Lane.

“He’s a bloody good horse. He’s won two Group 1 races and I think he’s been placed 15 times in Group races,” he said.

Stratum Star wins the $1 million Kingston Town Classic. Picture: Simon Merritt Western Racing Pix

Weir will take three other runners to the Gold Coast where he is hoping to emulate last year’s success when Lucky Hussler won the Magic Millions Cup and Mahuta won the Guineas.

Lucky Hussler will defend his title and Kenjorwood will also run in that race.

Weir went to Warrnambool on Friday to have a look at his team and he said Lucky Hussler was in great condition and would trial at Terang on Tuesday before heading up to Queensland.

Lucky Hussler hasn’t started since he won the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes at Sandown Hillside on November 12.

The Darren Weir-trained Lucky Hussler (right) with fellow stable star Black Heart Bart after a beach canter near Warrnambool last spring. Picture: Colleen Petch

Weir said Kenjorwood, who also won his last start in the Lord Stakes at Caulfield, would be a chance as he’s such a tough horse but added he needed to draw a good barrier.

Weir will take a quartet of last-start winners to the Gold Coast, as Hijack Hussy who won at Flemington on December 17 will run in the $1 million Fillies and Mares race over 1300m.

Lane will also ride Kenjorwood and Hijack Hussy while Brad Rawiller will ride Lucky Hussler.

Weir said his top gallopers Black Heart Bart, Palentino and Tosen Stardom were all back in work and were likely to return to work in the Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 11.

Darren Weir, at his stables in Ballarat, will take four runners to Queensland for the huge race day.

Originally published as Weir pushes on despite distance query for Star