Widden Stud sire Stratum topped Day 1 of the 2010 Adelaide Magic Millions at Morphettville on Tuesday when trainer Lloyd Kennewell paid $150,000 for a filly from Baratheas mare Show No Restraint.

“She was the best horse in the sale,” Kennewell said.  “I knew she would be popular…she has plenty going for her.”

Consigned by Baramul Stud, the Stratum filly is a half-sister to South African stakes performer Fearless Gun (Bite The Bullet).  The immediate family also includes Slanchyvah (LR Doomben Classic), Grey Song (G2 Blamey Stakes) and Tonz More Fun (G3 Jansz Stakes).

Baramul Stud was home to legendary sire Star Kingdom when Alf Ellison owned the historic nursery.  Now under the Gerry Harvey umbrella, it topped the 2009 Adelaide Magic Millions when a daughter of Testa Rossa that realised $115,000.

A Bel Esprit colt and Choisir filly were next on the leader board at $100,000.  Peter Sutcliffe purchased the Bel Esprit half-brother to Moment in Time from Inman Valley Stud while Jamie Walter snapped up the Choisir half sister to Go Cart from the Balcrest Stud draft.

Turnover on Day 1 passed $3.60 million and the average price of $27,500 was up over 36% on last year’s final figures.  The clearance rate was 73% from the 180 lots to parade.

Magic Millions Managing Director David Chester said the day went well and seemed to get stronger as the afternoon went.  “We had some lovely yearlings early in the session but, as a whole, the selling got stronger and the clearance rate lifted as the sale got into the swing of things later in the day.”

The Adelaide Magic Millions winds up with Day 2 on Wednesday with another 172 lots to go under the hammer.