3 minute read

Sirene Stryker has endured more than most gallopers during her racing career but along the way the one thing she has managed to retain is her well above average ability.

In Brief

• Sirene Stryker maintains great first-up form.
• Mare lucky to be racing.
• Ganderton thanks vet Mike Morris for his care and expertise.

The six-year-old delivered another stellar performance in Devonport on Sunday to easily win a benchmark 68 handicap over 1150 metres to keep her outstanding first-up record intact.

Sirene Stryker has had four preparations during her stop-start career and has won first-up four times, but this latest effort is clearly her best.

With Daniel Ganderton aboard, Sirene Stryker ($5.50) made the most of her favourable inside barrier (1) to secure an economical run on the rail and when she was aimed at the middle of the track in the home straight the daughter of Stryker-Pirate's Scene powered home to win by almost a length from the favourite Emily ($2.70).

Trainer Mark Ganderton was elated after the win and admitted to being "quite relieved."

"I'm almost glad that's over because she has had so many problems that she probably shouldn't even be racing," Ganderton said.

"She has had a lot of things go wrong that were out of her control," Ganderton said.

"As a four-year-old she had to have an ovary removed because she had a huge tumor growing on it and we must pay tribute to Longford vet Dr. Mike Morris, because with him identifying the problem and his surgical expertise we managed to save her.

"She had a year off and when we had her going extra well, she got a cyst on her epiglottis, so she had to be sent to Melbourne to rectify that issue, so it's fair to say she has done it tough, but she is such a wonderful horse with a terrific record.

"She has won four and placed four times from 12 starts, so you would like to have every horse in the stable with that sort of record."