Sizzling Return for Strykum

The foundation sire for leading Victorian nursery Three Bridges Thoroughbreds, blue-blooded Fastnet Rock stallion Stryker posted his first stakes-winner last season with talented filly Strykum and she returned from a winter spell to score easily at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Winner of the Listed SAJC Queen Adelaide Stakes back in May, the Lee and Anthony Freedman trained filly looked fresh and bright when leading all the way to win over 1200 metres by a length and a quarter with Ben Melham in the saddle.

"She’s a lovely filly,” said Lee Freedman. "It looked a good race for her and it set up nicely for her when she was allowed a soft lead.

"The 1200 (metres) is probably as far as she wants, it’s a tough six (furlongs) but I thought she did a good job first-up.

"We’ll keep her in this grade, there’s another race like this here in two weeks or we can wait a week and there’s a race down the straight at Flemington.”

Bred by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds, Strykum fetched $21,000 when sold by Three Bridges at the at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale, but could make only $12,000 when snaffled by Anthony Freedman at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale from the draft of Royston Stud.

She is the best of four winners from Group III placed Happy Giggle mare Dinkum Star, who comes from the family of Group I SAJC Australasian Oaks winner Rinky Dink and Group II winner Galah. Dinkum Star has been a regular partner for Stryker and has another two year-old filly and yearling filly by him to follow.