Masquerade Ends Williams’ Drought
17 February, 2018
Thoroughbred
Time Thief gelding Masquerade has delivered the Grant and Alana Williams stable its first winner at Ascot since December 20, taking out the D’orsogna Handicap (1000m).
The training partnership has endured a frustrating run at Perth Racing Headquarters of late, with 12 placings since their last winner.
Masquerade broke through for his maiden win at Bunbury on January 10, before he was beaten just over a length by Orange Strudel at Ascot on January 31.
It appeared as if the frustrating run for the Williams stable would continue as Dynamite Dream hit the front with 100m to go, but jockey Chris Parnham lifted the three-year-old in the closing stages to make it two wins from four starts in his career so far.
Owner Bob Peters was concerned at having to drop the gelding back from 1200m to 1000m, but said he was confident Masquerade would have the turn-of-foot to beat his rivals.
“We thought it might be a little bit short for him,” he said.
“We knew he would be finishing, it could have been a little bit short, but as it turned out he got there.”
Peters said he would keep Masquerade to short course races, and ruled out a WA Derby campaign.
Western Temple finished the day on a high note for Peters, when he took out the St Patricks Raceday March 17 Handicap (1600m), once again for the Adam Durrant and Brodie Kirby combination.
It was also a positive finish to the day for the Williams team, with My Grace finishing second to Western Temple.
Tim Walker