Widden Stud sire Stratum clinched the Australian 2YO sires’ premiership when his Melbourne based filly Crystal Lily won the $3.5 million Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

Stratum (Redoute’s Choice) won the 2005 Golden Slipper and he joins an elite club of colts to go on and sire a Slipper winner.  Todman started the ball rolling in 1957 with subsequent winners Eskimo Prince and Sweet Embrace.  He was followed by Vain (Sir Dapper, Inspired), Baguette (Dark Eclipse); Marauding (Burst, Prowl), Marscay (Bint Marscay), Danzero (Dance Hero) and Flying Spur (Forensics).

Widden has a Golden Slipper pedigree of its own with Todman, Vain and Marscay all standing at the historic nursery.  And besides Stratum, its current roster includes 2008 winner Sebring.

Crystal Lily (2f Stratum – Crystal Snip by Snippets) is a homebred for David and Jenny Moodie.  Their Contract Racing operation came close to winning the 1996 Golden Slipper when the Raami sprinter Paint was runner-up to Prowl.

The Moodies paid a $150,000 late entry fee for Crystal Lily after her last start win in the G3 AJC Sweet Embrace Stakes at Randwick.  She had booked a ticket north after winning the Blue Diamond Preview and Chairman’s Stakes by a combined total of 8 lengths.

Despite bearing to her left and giving Solar Charged a broadside at the furlong in the Golden Slipper, Crystal Lily had a half-length to spare from Black Opal winner Decision Time (Foreplay).

She will be sent for an immediate spell and be set for the G1 One Thousand Guineas at Caulfield in October.  The Moodies will rely on Tale Of The Cat filly Willow Creek to represent Contract Racing in the G1 AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Randwick this Saturday.

Crystal Lily is a half-sister to SAJC Dequetteville Stakes (LR) winner Crystal Wit and the dam of MVRC Bill Stutt Stakes (G2) winner Carrara.

Crystal Snip foaled colts by Danerich and Hard Spun after the Golden Slipper winner.  Naturally, the Moodies sent the mare back to Stratum last year.