The Wednesday Wash Up: June 20
20 June, 2018
Thoroughbred
The Dan Morton-trained Baron Bostock relished the task against easier opposition in today’s TABtouch Plate (1000m) at Belmont, comfortably beating his rivals by just over a length.
Last start, Baron Bostock was beaten by Simon Miller’s impressive filly Market Ruler by just over three lengths and finished fourth.
Last start Northam maiden winner Nickel Queen started a short price favourite in the two-year-old event of the day, but ridden by Peter Knuckey, Baron Bostock was too strong over the concluding stages.
Morton said he expected Baron Bostock to be competitive today, after the strong effort on debut.
“I thought it was a better than average effort first-up behind good company,” he said.
“We went in not over the top with confidence, but knowing he would improve.”
Knuckey brought up the second leg of his double in the first half of the program when he rode the Adam Durrant-trained Nashville Cat in the Ascend Sales Trophy Handicap (1200m).
Nashville Cat was second-up for the preparation, and clearly took benefit from the first-up performance behind Undisclosed at Pinjarra.
Nashville Cat burst to the lead at the 200m and then held off a late charge from Miss Swindle and Tycoon Legend to record his fourth win from 17 starts.
Meanwhile, the Fred Kersley-trained has made it two wins on the trot, holding off the late challengers to take out the Magic Millions Handicap (1200m).
Oregon Bronze won first-up on May 30 at Belmont, and handled the step up in class and distance well today, recording her first win at the 1200m.
Elsewhere, the Martin Allan-trained Night Voyage continued a strong patch of form, recording his second win from his past three starts.
The gelding settled slightly worse than midfield in the 1300m event for jockey Ryan Hill, before he let down strongly to take the lead from the consistent General Husson inside the 200m.
Night Voyage won two starts back in Kalgoorlie, before he finished third to Undisclosed at Belmont on June 9.
Allan said he felt Night Voyage had found the right race today.
“He’s an honest campaigner,” he said.
“I don’t believe he’s quite up to Saturday grade, but he’s an honest horse and deserves a city win.”
Another trend which emerged from the meeting was experienced gallopers recording their second win.
Earlier in the card it was nine-year-old Sordello recording his second career victory, and his first in more than 2000 days, while six-year-old Diplomat Express recorded his first win in more than 600 days in the Thomas Sabo Handicap (2100m), which was also his second career win.
Tim Walker