Race 1 - 11:53AM PENFOLDS PLATE (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
Cognac made it two in a row for jockey Craig Staples and trainer Paul Jordan. The son of Henny Hughes was slightly tardy away before bustling through the field to get outside of leader Dashing Affair. He was held together nicely by Staples and booted away in the straight, holding off Salubrious and Ascot Gold. “He’s got good speed and his mother was a Magic Millions winner” – Paul Jordan suggesting that there is plenty to work with moving forward for the well-bred commodity.
THE GOOD
Salubrious found the line nicely for second after being scratched at the barriers only a week ago. There is a win in him soon. Of the first starters, Ascot Gold hit the line best and looked as though 1200m or 1300m will suit him next start.
THE BAD
Favourite Pearl Trade was snagged back to the tail of the field and ran on well for fourth but that would have been no consolation for early market favourite punters.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Ascot Gold – 34.45
Race 2 - 12:33PM PERTH RACING YOUNG MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
THE WINNER
Peter Knuckey minded his own business behind leader Kimbo’s Girl and avoided traffic jams with a lovely run through the field in the straight. Once the gelding saw daylight and the fancied runners found trouble, he was the one you wanted to be on. A huge training effort by Bob McPherson to get the son of Al Maher to win after having a throat operation before the preparation. “It’s really worked with him” – winning trainer Bob McPherson explained how a throat operation has helped Roughead.
THE GOOD
Rare Coin rattled home nicely to claim second, beaten a ½ length. Double Digit tracked up nicely behind the leading bunch to run a good race for fourth. Rich Red came from near last to run a nice late sectional and finish sixth.
THE BAD
$2.10 favourite Show Honey got shuffled back and found awful bother on turning. She failed to finish in the first half of the field.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Persian Princess & Rare Coin – 35.81
Race 3 - 1:13PM TABTOUCH HANDICAP (2100 METRES)
THE WINNER
Rosewood Hill made it four wins from her last five starts after blitzing a well-credentialed group of stayers. On the seven-day back-up, William Pike waited at the rear of the field until the very last moment before setting sail after Dark Musket and My Magic Miss. The mare by Rothesay ended up winning comfortably by 2 ½ lengths. “She just seems to thrive off racing, each time she goes around she improves” – Ben Pearce on his evergreen mare Rosewood Hill.
THE GOOD
My Magic Miss was good again for second after Joseph Azzopardi extracted the mare off the rail on turning. Dark Musket improved with the blinkers on to hold on for third.
THE BAD
Push To Pass and Respondent both seemed to have peachy runs in transit but failed to give a yelp in the straight. Push To Pass may just be a level below these and Respondent is probably well past his best.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Rosewood Hill – 36.05
Race 4 - 1:53PM KIRIN MEGUMI HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
The blinkers went on and Lockroy led from start to finish with thanks to a well-rated ride from Peter Knuckey, who brought up a double. The son of Golden Slipper winner Polar Success finally registered his first win in Western Australia. “He’ll improve off that and hopefully should win a couple more” – winning trainer Chris Gangemi positive about Lockroy’s future.
THE GOOD
Abbasso stuck on well for third to the surprise of punters at $31. Lou Luciani may have him ready for a win this preparation. The Celt ran second and continued his good record at Belmont. Mad Brad was caught three-wide before plugging away to the line for fourth.
THE BAD
Sweet Ora followed runner-up The Celt into the race but failed to run on and finished third last. Presentatie never got into the race at all from back in the field. She may still be feeling the mental scars from falling two starts ago.
FASTEST LAST 600M
The Celt – 35.22
Race 5 - 2:29PM AMELIA PARK LODGE HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
Despite sitting three-wide without cover for the majority of the trip, Belter returned first up with a solid grinding win. Steven Parnham sat midfield and let the grey son of Denman relax in the run before setting after Kramden, Scalpel and Bounce Down. “He’s been doing a lot of hard work on the track” – Belter’s trainer Sean Casey had his gelding rock hard fit for today’s first up assignment.
THE GOOD
Scalpel rode a solid speed up front and managed to stick on for second, beaten ¾ of a length. There will be plenty of wins to come for the son of Snippetson.
THE BAD
After being backed into $2.80 favouritism, there was not one moment that you wanted to be on Yeah Dardy. He went keen early on before failing to respond to William Pike’s urgings in the straight.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Slik Sam – 34.32
Race 6 - 3:05PM HEINEKEN HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
After enjoying the run of the race, third behind the leading pair, War God was never in doubt on turning except for the fast-finishing Luke’s Gold, which flew home from the back of the field. After runner-up efforts behind State Solicitor and Dark Royalty, it was War God’s day. And like last year, he may be able to win a few more this preparation. “He’s going really well this campaign and there’s still another win in him I reckon” – Neville Parnham recommends following War God.
THE GOOD
Luke’s Gold stormed home from last to finish an eye-catching second, beaten only by a long neck. He seems to enjoy the open expanses of Belmont Park so watch for him to be winning again soon at the metropolitan winter track.
THE BAD
Baraki Beats went off in the barriers and was scratched before the race. He has a few screws loose in his head but possesses plenty of ability.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Luke’s Gold – 35.05
Race 7 - 3:45PM HYPERION STAKES (1600 METRES)
THE WINNER
$1.35 favourite and reigning Group One James Boag’s Premium-Railway Stakes winner Scales Of Justice was not for catching. He bounced well and settled moderately out in front. Despite wanting to go faster, he still packed too many punches in the finish and will likely start as favourite in the Group Three Strickland Stakes in a fortnight’s time. “If anyone tackles him it’d sort of be suicidal but I suppose that day will come” – winning trainer Lindsey Smith suggests that rivals attacking Scales Of Justice for the lead would be detrimental to their own chances.
THE GOOD
Zarantz was excellent fresh to run second at $71. He won the Western Australia Cup (3200m) and was then freshened up before trialling well over 950m leading into this race. The son of Choisir found the line strongly and put the writing on the wall leading into the Strickland Stakes. Zarantz ran second in this same race last year behind Wink And A Nod.
THE BAD
Second favourite Disposition had every possible chance in the run after settling midfield and stalking the leading four. He just didn’t let down like he did in the Belmont Sprint and maybe needs to be ridden ice cold from back in the field to truly get 1600m.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Zarantz – 34.25
Race 8 - 4:25PM JAMES BOAG'S PREMIUM HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
THE WINNER
Third up and over 1600m was the key to seeing Jetoomy perform at his best. Given a lovely ride by Lucy Warwick, the son of Reset found the line powerfully from back in field. Don’t be surprised if he is more effective over 2000m and beyond. “He’s got a great turn of foot if he does absolutely nothing” – winning rider Lucy Warwick explains that Jetoomy needs to be ridden ice cold.
THE GOOD
Jaspara snuck along the inside to record a handy second. He was only beaten by a narrow nose and proved that he is up to Saturday class.
THE BAD
Humanity was found in betting but failed to fire a shot in the straight after sitting outside of the leader. “Where to next?” is the question.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Jetoomy – 35.22
PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY
Scales Of Justice blew away a reasonable field in the Group Three Hyperion Stakes after leading on his ear. The Railway Stakes winner may have improvement to come which is a scary thought for those rivals heading towards the Group Three Strickland Stakes (2000m) on Saturday 1 July.
RIDE OF THE DAY
Brad Parnham gave War God a charmed run after jumping from the outside half of the line. Parnham followed Flying Roar over before slotting in behind him and New Time which were both prominent in running. On turning and at the 200m mark, War God was the only horse you wanted to be on.
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