Soxagon Takes Aim at the Stradbroke

Mark Smith - Saturday May 28

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.

Soxagon prevails in a 4-horse thriller (image Grant Courtney)

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.

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Race Result - Tab Brc Sprint Gr3 1300m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 1:16.00
1
Soxagon
- 6g Rocker (AUS) x Strike On Goal (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy (USA))
Tnr: M A Currie Rdr: B N Stewart 58
2
0.1
Alligator Blood
- 5g All Too Hard (AUS) x Lake Superior (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 59
All Too Hard
3
0.2
Niccanova
- 8g Nicconi (AUS) x Dananova (AUS) (Snippetson (AUS))
Tnr: S P Tregea Rdr: Anthony Allen 57.5
Nicconi
4
0.4
Holyfield
- 4g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Hurtle Myrtle (AUS) (Dane Shadow (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: S T Collett 54
5
1.4
Blondeau
- 4g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Bit Of Cheek (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: L V Cassidy 54
6
1.5
Buffalo River
- 6g Noble Mission (GB) x Fashion Insider (USA) (Indian Charlie (USA))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: O P Bosson 57.5
7
1.6
Tycoonist
- 4g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Doubtfilly (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55.5
8
1.8
Vinco
- 5g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Percussive (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Ben Thompson 54
9
2.3
Emerald Kingdom
- 7g Bryannbo's Gift (NZ) x Horshoe (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: James Orman 58.5
10
2.7
Taksu
- 6g Equiano (FR) x Raining (AUS) (Hurricane Sky (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: W Pike 54
11
3.2
Gem Song
- 6g Your Song (AUS) x Beautiful Gem (AUS) (Peintre Celebre (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: J Bowman 59
12
3.4
Irish Songs
- 6g Shamus Award (AUS) x Lucky Songs (NZ) (Johar (USA))
Tnr: Kurt Goldman Rdr: Rachel King 54
13
4.6
Gospodin
- 4g Proisir (AUS) x O'Gosh (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: J C Pender Rdr: R Dolan 54
14
4.7
Oscar Zulu
- 4g Epaulette (AUS) x Ininthree (NZ) (Generous (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: K Mc Evoy 54
15
4.9
Desert Lord
- 7g High Chaparral (IRE) x Nova Star (AUS) (Iglesia (AUS))
Tnr: David Vandyke Rdr: Craig Williams 55.5
16
5.7
Dawn Passage
- 5g Dawn Approach (IRE) x Raja Lane (AUS) (Devaraja (NZ))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: J Parr 56
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