Despite being slightly tardy away, Victorious Lad slipped up along the inside to settle midfield along the fence before finishing off hard around heels in the straight. It was a well-deserved maiden win.
Kim’s Call flashed home late from well back in the field after trialling nicely prior to the run. There’s a win around the corner for her.
Sunset Pete was disqualified after finishing fourth. Jockey Matthieu Autier weighed in light. Disappointing for connections and first four punters.
Race 2 - 12:54PM AMELIA PARK LAMB HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
The drop back to 1000m from 1800m with the blinkers on was a stroke of genius by Grant and Alana Williams. Glimmer Girl got the run to suit and won at $13. Very rarely do we see runners wearing cerise and white saluting at double figure odds.
THE GOOD
If Snow Lord got out a fraction earlier from his pocket, he may have been able to challenge the winner. Even so, he was very good in defeat.
THE BAD
Scalpel was caught wide which did not help his chances.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Glimmer Girl – 33.65
Race 3 - 1:34PM THOMAS SABO HANDICAP (2200 METRES)
THE WINNER
War Ksar won the slowly run staying race. He came from back in the field which gives the win plenty of merit.
THE GOOD
Blustery and Proxy both finished off well to finish second and third respectively.
THE BAD
The race was run very slowly so it should be heavily scrutinised as a form reference moving forward.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Proxy – 34.86
Race 4 - 2:14PM AMELIA PARK BEEF HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
There were a few nervous punters when Ripper Rio couldn’t get off the fence in the straight but they were never in doubt once William Pike extricated the gelding and got him in clear running. A great win by the grey.
THE GOOD
Settlers Creek ran another great race for fifth after settling last in the run. For his 17th run this campaign, he was excellent. Rosmartini fought on well after leading and finishing fourth. The Cobbla was also game to the line for second.
THE BAD
Diablerie was heavily backed prior to the race but finished eighth after travelling wide and pulled up after the race with low grade exertion heat illness.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Settlers Creek – 34.56
Race 5 - 2:55PM SCHWEPPES-GRANDSTAND CUP (1500 METRES)
THE WINNER
Man Booker made it four wins from four starts this preparation. He sat just off Great Shot, in the lead, and stalked him everywhere he went. In the straight, he was too brilliant and tough. Team Morton is flying.
THE GOOD
Great Shot was gallant in defeat again but had to settle for second. The son of Magnus is a very good horse which further amplifies how good Man Booker is.
THE BAD
Socially Unique was wide and failed again for the second time this preparation.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Red Ora – 33.69
Race 6 - 3:35PM AMELIA PARK LODGE HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
Woolibar sat wide in running but came right over the top of a very solid speed set by Marchand and Delicate Miss.
THE GOOD
Mighty Blonde seems to love the 1000m trip. She ran another brilliant second. Pininci and Seeker both hit the line strongly also.
THE BAD
Sweet Ora went off as $2.25 favourite and never really looked like winning after settling back in the field. The bookies had a win there...
FASTEST LAST 600M
Pininci – 33.44
Race 7 - 4:10PM KIRIN MEGUMI-W.A. OAKS (2400 METRES)
THE WINNER
For the second consecutive year, the second elect of Bob Peters beat the favoured Bob Peters runner. Chris Parnham took off on eventual winner Very Tempting at the 400m mark and said catch me if you can. They could not.
THE GOOD
Royal Star was a $1.35 beaten favourite but she was good to the line and will be hard to beat in the WATC Derby. Just Like Fire was also honest for third but no match for the Peters pair.
THE BAD
Vain Stryker was horribly unlucky after she found the back of tiring runners approaching the home turn. She was held up and got out to run fourth. She arguably should have finished at least three or four lengths closer.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Royal Star – 35.21
Race 8 - 4:45PM AMELIA PARK-KARRAKATTA PLATE (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
Tough little filly Lucy Mae poked her head out ahead of Achernar Star to claim victory in the two-year-old classic. She jumped well and put herself in the race just like she did when winning the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic at Pinjarra. Tough as old boots.
THE GOOD
Achernar Star was excellent. Similar to Lucy Mae, he bounced well out of the machine and took up the running. He fought well to the line but was just grabbed by Lucy Mae. Debellatio and Reykjavik were the eye-catchers heading towards the Group Three WA Sires’ Produce Stakes on Good Friday.
THE BAD
Seannie found traffic but finished off well. Not well enough if you took the $2.40 shorts. And after winning the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic at Pinjarra, how Lucy Mae started at $21 is a question many will be asking themselves with a screwed up face.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Debellatio – 34.67