Sruthan

Sruthan put up a taking performance to win the Listed Tetrach Stakes at The Curragh on Monday on just the second run of his life.

Paul Deegan’s gelding travelled well in the hands of Chris Hayes, initially just away from the favoured stands rail, against which the runner-up Fortify raced the whole way. He produced a nice turn of foot to come through between useful rivals Fortify and Tobann, both of whom had run twice this term already, and clear right away. The time was good, the quickest comparative time of the day, and significantly quicker than the time that Viztoria clocked in the Group 3 Athasi Stakes a half an hour later despite the fact that Sruthan carrying 5lb more, for all that Eddie Lynam’s filly was not fully extended.

Sruthan had stayed on well to win over a mile on his debut at Dundalk in March but, as a half-brother to the sprinter Srucahan, he looked well suited by this drop down to seven furlongs, especially with this bit of ease in the ground. It is encouraging that he has already won at Dundalk, however, and, by Arakan, he should act on slightly quicker ground than this.

His trainer spoke about the Jersey Stakes after this race, and that is a legitimate target. Of course, he always has the option of stepping back up to a mile, he has won over that trip, but he is exciting and he could well be under-rated if he does go over to Britain, hailing from a relatively small Irish yard but one which has been in great form already this season so far.

6th May 2013