Running Tall was beaten hands down by Sepoy in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes last month but he has earned another crack at Darley’s boom colt in the G1 Golden Slipper on April 2.

Running Tall booked his ticket to Sydney after an eye-catching victory in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Flemington.  The Danny O’Brien trained colt won by two lengths from stablemate Decircles (Encosta De Lago) and Grand Britannia (Dash For Cash).

“He is a big, gross colt and probably needed the run in the Blue Diamond,” O’Brien said.  “It’s three weeks to the Golden Slipper and there’s still improvement in him.”

Running Tall (2c Stratum – Fleeting Touch by Touch Gold) was the most expensive among Stratum’s yearlings at the 2010 majors.  He was purchased by George Moore on behalf of the Singapore based Lucky Racing Syndicate for $500,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale.

His dam is a half-sister to 2008 Champion USA 2YO Midshipman.  

Running Tall was beaten a neck and a neck on debut in the G3 VRC Maribyrnong Plate and returned 14 weeks later to finish three lengths adrift of Sepoy in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude.  He fronted a fortnight later but was beaten six lengths by the same colt in the G1 G3 Blue Diamond.

“No-one wants to be taking on Sepoy but you have to be there,” O’Brien said.  “Running Tall is a magnificent colt and is just starting to put it together.”

O’Brien pointed out Stratum filly Crystal Lily was unplaced in the 2010 Blue Diamond before winning the Golden Slipper.  “The Stratums are tough two-year-olds and keep getting better,” he continued.  “Running Tall is a class animal and the second colt is not a bad type, either!”

Stratum (Redoute’s Choice) stands at Widden Stud and his fee has risen from $25,000 to $55,000 in the last three years.  The increases have come since he won the 2009-10 Australian 2YO sires’ premiership as a freshman.

Stratum’s first two crops have generated 58 individual winners of 93 races to date at a 46% strike-rate.  

Sepoy heads Golden Slipper betting at $2.00.  Next in the market are Satin Shoes ($7.50), Foxwedge ($9.00) and Karuta Queen ($12).  Running Tall is still available at $51.