Stratford does it again

Promising galloper Stratford could be aimed at an early spring feature after putting away another field when taking out the Congratulations Lonhro Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Hawkes Racing-trained galloper made it two from two this preparation after again being well fancied by punters and co-trainer Michael Hawkes said the stable would now consider raising the bar again for the son of Golden Slipper winner Stratum.

"We haven't rushed him he's the kind of horse you can space him two or three weeks even four weeks, he adapts so well," Hawkes said.

"He might end up in a good race in the early part of the spring but we'll just take our time with him."

Stratford began well and settled midfield throughout the race before jockey Rod Quinn allowed the colt to stride up out wide rounding the home turn.

For the early part of the straight Quinn kept Stratford under a hold but when Unanimously shot clear at the 300m he was forced to play his hand.

The three-year-old sprinted quickly and ranged up alongside Unanimously before getting the better of that galloper to score a decisive victory beating the fast finishing See The World with Unanimously holding on for third.

"He wasn't quite as sharp today, he travelled up good and I thought he was going to win better but I think he's looking for further," Quinn said.

"I think he's up to carnival horses, maybe not the top but some of the lower races for sure."

Stratford's win was his third in five starts and his bank now exceeds $160,000.

Story: Nic Ashman RaceNet

Photo: www.sportpix.com.au