Wednesday Wash Up July 18
18 July, 2018
Thoroughbred
The Vernon Brockman-trained Kakadu has caused a major upset to open the Belmont program taking out the Amelia Park Lamb Plate (1000m), defeating hot favourite Braggadocious.
The Galah gelding had been consistent without winning in five starts, including a last start second to Burgoyne on July 4, and was considered the main danger to the favourite.
Jockey Joseph Azzopardi had Kakadu placed directly behind the leader, before he peeled off the leaders backs on the turn for home and hit the front.
Braggadocious drifted out on the turn into the straight, which allowed Kakadu to take the lead and opened up a significant break on his rivals, going on to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths.
After the race, Brockman was full of praise for Azzopardi’s ride.
“He rode him perfectly,” Brockman said.
“He got there, and he was just camped and he kicked away well.
“His last run was good too, he was just drawn on the outside of the track.”
Azzopardi caused another big upset on the Belmont came in the Perth Racing Club Membership Handicap (1300m), where the Daniel and Ben Pearce-trained Supreme Force upstaged red hot favourite Electric Light, who was looking to record a third straight win.
Electric Light missed the start by three lengths, and had to be ridden along by jockey William Pike to catch up to the rest of the field.
Supreme Force sat outside the lead, and was perfectly poised coming into the straight.
Despite the slow start, Electric Light loomed as the winner at the 200m mark, but was badly held up for a run, as Supreme Force kicked away to win by more than a length at his second start this campaign.
Co-trainer Daniel Pearce said it had been a frustrating wait to get the gelding’s first win, but felt today could be the start of a prosperous career.
“He’s a nice horse, we’ve had an opinion of him for a long time,” he said.
“We’ve had to be patient with him, because he’s had a few setbacks.
“He’s a well bred horse, and hopefully we can be rewarded going forward.”
Elsewhere on the program, the Lou Luciani-trained Countess Natasha made it two wins in as many weeks, taking out the Peacock Bros Handicap (1300m).
After breaking through for a maiden win over 1200m last week, Countess Natasha jumped away well again today, and was able to land in the perfect position just off the speed for jockey Peter Knuckey.
Knuckey was then able to peel off the back of the leading pair Sound Of Fury and Chenery Red at the top of the straight and eventually went on to win by a length.
Princess Tara, who was also well fancied in the market, had little luck in the straight and had to settle for a second place finish.
Meanwhile, a drop back in class and distance has seen Kelly’s Gem take out the J.J. Richards & Sons Handicap (1650m).
A last start ninth, albeit unlucky, in the Listed Belmont Oaks on July 7 saw Kelly’s Gem installed a $2.35 TABtouch favourite.
It looked as if the filly would be held up for a run again for a large part of the straight, but Pike was able to weave a clear passage and won by a nose.
Tim Walker