Peters Ninth Oaks A Special One
14 April, 2018
Thoroughbred
Special Alert has capped off a big day for WA’s most prominent owner and breeder Bob Peters, causing a boilover in the Group 3 WA Oaks (2400m) at Ascot this afternoon.
The Not A Single Doubt filly was Peters’ ninth win in the Group 3 event and fourth in a row, following on from Delicacy (2015), First Impressions (2016) and Very Tempting (2017).
The Group 3 win came just over an hour after Peters’ gelding King River won first-up at Caulfield over 1200m.
It took a daring ride by the in-form Chris Parnham on the $61 chance, who was three deep in a midfield position the entire trip, before going around the field and hitting the front early in the home straight.
Friar Fox, who started a $1.65 chance, loomed ominously on the turn but couldn’t quicken, leaving Special Alert to chase leader Burning Pride.
Like A Butterfly and American Joy battled on gamely to finish second and third respectively.
Peters had four runners in the race, all trained by Grant and Alana Williams, in American Joy (3rd), Magical Charm (4th) and Sally’s Realm (6th).
Peters said Special Alert’s victory did come as a surprise, but also took great satisfaction in the win due to the amount of work they had to put into the filly.
“It did a bit, because I couldn’t pick between the four of them,” he said.
“She’s a nice filly that has been getting a little bit hot in her races.
“I think at some stages she has run her race before they have jumped.”
The filly is likely to tackle the Group 2 WA Derby next Saturday.
The Williams team also combined with Parnham earlier in the day when Falcon Crest recorded his third Listed win in four starts in the Old Comrade Stakes (1600m).
Falcon Crest was too tough for his rivals in the $100,000 event, with Pinzu finishing second, and North Ridge in third.