Group 1 winner in waiting by Equiano

Strath Burn bagged his first black-type in the G3 Hackwood Stakes on Saturday and trainer Charlie Hills reckons it won’t be his last.

The Equiano colt stuck close to the pace before toughing out a one-length victory from Portamento (Shamardal). “The ground might have been a little too quick but he goes on it,” jockey Jim Crowley said. “He was very brave in a battle from the two (furlongs) and it worked out nicely.”

Hills is revelling in a red-hot season with G1 July Cup hero Muhaarar and he reckons Strath Burn is a Group 1 winner in waiting. There are Group 1 nominations for him in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August and Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock in September, however, Hills won’t throw him straight into the deep end of a Group 1.

“He’ll be a better horse with more juice in the ground,” Hills said. “It’s great to get him on a nice, level track. There’s a few nice races for him now and France could be an option.”

Strath Burn (3c Equiano – Irish Light by Irish River) is raced by Qatar Racing’s Sheikh Fahad and Meikle Ben Stables after making 62,000 guineas (AUD 116,400) at the 2014 Tattersalls Craven 2YO Sale.

His sire Equiano heads the winners (27) and wins (33) tables on the English second-season premiership and is third on the prizemoney table with earnings of 244,735 pounds. He shuttles to Swettenham Stud for a $13,750 (inc gst) service fee.