Trainer expects winning debut by colt

Photo / File

Paul Dawson will take the wraps off 2-year-old Stradon at Eagle Farm today and the trainer is anticipating a winning debut.

Dawson rates Stradon as "a very talented young horse" and the colt will be given his first test in the Mt Olivet Cup (1000m) on the back of two barrier trial wins in recent weeks.

"He's a very good horse, he won his last trial well and I expect him to win."

The youngster is a son of Strada out of Secret Donna and was bred by Dawson's father-in-law Jack O'Hagan.

Secret Donna is a half-sister to Roman Squire who Dawson also trained.

Roman Squire won seven of his 25 races, including the 2007 Tatt's Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm and competed during the Melbourne Spring Carnival of that year.

"Stradon won his trial very impressively and I think he's a better horse than Roman Squire," Dawson said yesterday.

"He's a very strong-looking horse. His sectional times in his trials have been good and we are just hoping he can go out and win now."

Stradon won an 800m trial by a narrow margin at Eagle Farm on June 21 and then scored by three lengths in an 1100m trial at the same track on July 5.

Ryan Wiggins has been in the saddle both times and has the ride today, with the colt to start from barrier nine in a field of 15.

"I would be very disappointed if he doesn't run up to my expectations," Dawson said.

Dawson said Stradon wouldn't be ridden for sheer speed on debut, with the trainer hoping he could settle somewhere midfield before letting down in the straight.

He rates last-start winner Psychodelic as the biggest danger.

Psychodelic defeated Sydney winner Double Ranga by a length at Eagle Farm over 1000m on June 29.

-AAP