Redoute's Choice sons sire Group 1 quinella

Two outstanding sons of Redoute’s Choice supplied the stars of a heart-stopping and controversial finish to Saturday’s WATC Kingston Town Classic 1800m G1.

Stratum Star (by Golden Slipper winner Stratum, who died in September) and Scales Of Justice (by Not A Single Doubt) drew the extreme gates, 1 and 15 respectively in the final of Perth Racing’s three $1 million Masters races.

Despite his wide draw, Scales Of Justice started second favourite, jumped smartly and drove forward to sit without cover behind the early leader Mackintosh. Stratum Star, a Group 1 winner and thrice Group 1-placed in Melbourne last season, settled comfortably on the fence in fifth position.

Champion Hong Kong jockey Douglas Whyte, who also rode Scales Of Justice to Group 1 success a fortnight ago, had plenty of firepower under him as the field swept round the turn and sent the 4YO gelding into the lead at the 300-metre mark. Scales Of Justice kicked clear and kept going, but Stratum Star and his West Australian-born pilot Damian Lane were right behind him and steadily closed the gap in the final 200 metres.

The last fifty metres were desperately fought and Stratum Star prevailed by a nose, with more than 3 lengths back to last year’s winner Perfect Reflection and multiple New Zealand Group 1 winner Kawi a further 1.25 lengths away in fourth place. 

Watch the Stratum Star-Scales Of Justice quinella in the Kingston Town Classic G1.

Opinions that Whyte had misjudged the position of the winning post were immediately expressed, but the champion jockey pleaded not guilty to the charge of failing to ride out Scales Of Justice. The Stewards’ inquiry has been adjourned at Whyte’s request, to allow the horse’s trainer Lindsey Smith and managing owner Chris Wells to be present.  

Damian Lane had clear reasons for Stratum Star’s victory and plenty of respect for the runner-up.

He said, “That was the key, a soft run from barrier one and he had the last crack at them and it all worked out perfect.

“I thought I had him easy at the top of the straight but at the 100, I didn’t know. Scales Of Justice kept kicking really strong and made a good fight of it.”

The three-race Masters series has been dominated by the Redoute’s Choice dynasty. Stratum is also the sire of last week’s Winterbottom S. G1 winner Takedown and third placegetter Rock Magic is by Redoute’s Choice, while Scales Of Justice and Good Project completed a Railway S. G1 quinella for Not A Single Doubt on 19 November.

Redoute’s Choice and his sons Not A Single Doubt, Snitzel & Stratum dominate the top end of the current Australian General Sires’ list, with 20 stakeswinners and collective prizemoney of more than $14 million. They are also well-represented in the Magic Milions Gold Coast catalogue: Snitzel (52 Lots), Not A Single  Doubt (32 lots), Stratum (10 lots) & Redoute’s Choice (14 lots).