Strait Acer scores a hat-trick

*Article by The Trainers Hut Media

Strait Acer continues to shine early in the Sydney Spring with three successive wins on a Saturday with Jason Collett aboard. The Ed Cummings-trained galloper has now won five races, four of them in town.

The four-year-old is building a handy record from his ten starts, adding a second placing to his haul of victories.

There were question marks over whether he would be as effective of a mile as he had to fight right to the line two starts back over 1500m.

“There were obviously queries about this horse at 1600m today, and we did feel with the diminishing field that the pace would be quite tactical, and if it did steady, it would probably suit him,” Cummings said.

“We had an awkward draw. Jason had to ride him confidently back in the pack and bank on that turn of foot that we know he is developing every start. Full marks to Jason.”

The bar will continue to be raised for the Headwater gelding, although the team will continue to do what’s best suited for the horse.

“We like the idea of a freshen and back to 1300m here (Randwick) for a Silver Eagle. We are conscious that the horse is having his fifth start today, and whilst he is still on the way up, there is bigger fish to fry to, so that may not be the case. We are early enough in the season and the carnival to have a few options,” Cummings added.

Jason Collett has only ridden the horse three times and has yet to taste defeat on hit. He was equally pleased with the performance and admits there could be more to come. 

“He’s still quite raw for a horse that’s had a few starts now,” Collett said after the race. 

“He’s definitely grown in confidence. His turn of foot was pretty electric today. He put them away very easily, but he still does a few things wrong. He’s got a lot of potential.

“Distance? I’d say we’d be staying around this trip this prep, in time, maybe further, but he’s still learning.”

Strait Acer has earned more than 11 times his purchase price, with $275,000 already in the bank. He was purchased as a two-year-old at the Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale from the WBF Thoroughbreds draft in 2021.

You can read more about Strait Acer’s start to life published in The Thoroughbred Report here.

Image Courtesy of Bradley Photos