The Mark Currie-trained 6yo gelding Soxagon closed in on a $1million in earnings following success in Saturday’s Group III BTC Sprint at Eagle Farm, not bad for a product of a $600 mare and a free service.
Ridden by Brad Stewart, Soxagon (Rocker) nosed out a tragically unlucky Alligator Blood (All Too Hard), who was never closer than four wide in his first start in 23 weeks.
In a blanket finish, Niccanova (Nicconi) was a short-head back in third.
Coming off a win in the Listed ATC Trophy at the Gold Coast, Soxagon advances his record to ten wins, six seconds, and two thirds from 29 starts with earnings of $933,275.
Soxagon’s owner/breeder Brian Burke said he was thrilled the son of Rocker had earned his place in the Stradbroke.
“In Melbourne, you dream of getting into the Melbourne Cup, in Sydney, it’s the Slipper, and up here, it’s the Stradbroke. How good’s that?” Burke said.
“We thought he could win. He won first-up really well but backing up a couple of weeks later, you never know, back from a heavy track to a good track, but he got the chocolates.”
Stewart said Soxagon will make his presence felt in the Stradbroke.
“He’s tough as old boots. It was a dog fight all the way up the straight,” Stewart said.
“I wasn’t sure if I’d won. If I’d run third I wouldn’t have been surprised. It was just heads up, heads down, and thankfully his head was down.
“There was a bit of brushing going on, it was pretty tight. Full credit to the horse, he’s in good form at the moment. He was challenged all the way up the straight, and he kept coming up with the goods.”
Burke purchased Soxagon’s dam Strike On Goal for $600 out of the Patinack Farm draft at the 2013 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. He sent the daughter of Van Nistelrooy (USA) to the little-known Fastnet Rock stallion Rocker after a friend organised a free service.
A half-sister to Group II placed Dark Bishop (Pentire), Strike on Goal is out of a half-sister to the Group III VRC St Leger winner Desert Clearance.
Strike on Goal has not been covered since foaling Soxagon, and was dropped from the official record in 2018.
