Classy mare Beethog earned a start in the G1 Stradbroke Hcp with an on-pace victory in the LR Silk Stocking Handicap (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Beethog (4m Shovhog – Gypsy Ahlee by Alquoz) crossed the field from a wide barrier and was never headed.  She kept kicking in the straight to defeat Casholet (Hussonet) and Swiss Rose (Thorn Park) in a driving finish.

The mare had caused a $51 boilover in the G3 Gold Coast Guineas at the same meeting 12 months ago and she lobbed at $12 in the Silk Stocking.

“She has always shown loads of ability and it’s great to win on our home track – especially year to year,” trainer Les Kelly said.  “She had a foot injury after the Guineas and has come back good enough for us to have a crack at the Stradbroke.”

Beethog is a homebred for Greg Ryan and she was catalogued for the 2008 Magic Millions National yearling sale as part of the Raheen Stud draft.  Ryan is a long-time Raheen client and he retained her after bidding failed to reach a $10,000 reserve.

Beethog has earned over $237,000 from a 13: 4-2-2 record.  She is by Danehill stakes winner Shovhog who died at Raheen in November 2009.