Booms youngster Queensland-bound

BOOM youngster Hollywood Strip will be given an easy week before being primed for an interstate campaign.

Stretching his record to an impeccable 11 wins and a third from 12 starts with his brilliant success in Wagga last night, Hollywood Strip is being aimed at Queensland’s upcoming riches by trainer Brad Hewitt.

The $300,000 Rising Sun at Albion Park on July 4 heads Hewitt’s target list, with the Queensland Derby a fortnight later also part of the agenda.

“He’ll have a few days off now before I work out a plan for Queensland,” Hewitt said. “I’ll look for another race here before we go, or give him a couple of trials.

“The Rising Sun is what I’m setting him for, so I will work the next five or so weeks around having him at his peak for that.”

Driven by Hewitt during his latest triumph, Hollywood Strip showed great gate speed to lead from barrier four as Cardigan Dan was forced to work on his outside.

Fending off the challenge turning for home, the son of Sweet Lou dashed to a 13-and-a-half metre victory from Nocturnal.

Brooklyn Dan was two metres away third as the winner rated 1:53 over 2270 metres.

“Once he got to the front he was never going to be run down,” Hewitt said. “I knew he had them covered a long way out.

“He felt strong throughout and hit the line with some in the tank.”