The Ascot Wrap: The Top 7
1-THE FERNIES
The Fernie clan were too good in the Westspeed Platinum Autumn Final (1200m) with Yoyo’s, outpointing her rivals with relative ease and inflating the quaddie leg. Peter Fernie transferred the mare to his son, Luke, to avoid hard tracks at Kalgoorlie and it paid dividends when she let down strongly in the straight. A welcome birthday present for the patriarch of the family.
2-TIMELY OUTBURST
An easy watch if you were with the Stephen Miller-trained mare. Once she crossed from a wide gate to lead she was never headed, booting clear to win by 2 ¼ lengths. The Sessions four-year-old put the writing on the wall with a smart trial victory and rebounded after things did not go right in a two start campaign last year. She gave apprentice Brandon Louis his first Ascot win since returning from Tasmania. Miller had more cause to celebrate later in the day with Sniparoochy
3-SWEAR TO GOD
Russell Stewart has not been shy in talking up Swear To God and on the small sample size he is not too far off the mark. The two-year-old was a top winner on debut, lost a bit of shine last-start, but had excuses when third behind Snowdome, a subsequent Sires’ winner, before bouncing back to the winners’ list to launch the day on a positive note for favourite punters when he fanned out the widest before gathering in Sesswa.
4-GOD HAS CHOSEN
That was the God Has Chosen punters were accustomed to. An improved performance from the gelding who was superior in condition and fitness after a plain first-up effort two weeks ago. The talented four-year-old exacted revenge on Staralign, gaining the upper hand late and scoring by a long-head after the two gallopers went stride for stride in the straight. His sixth win from 10 starts continued a hot interstate streak for trainer Lindsey Smith.
5-HOW’S THE SERENITY
How well is this mare going for her illustrious group of owners? Under apprentice Holly Watson she flew out of the gates, had Reflectivity for company on her outside, shook of that challenge and then staved off the fast-finishing Chantorque. Trainer Simon Miller said after a short break the daughter of Magnus deserved a crack at black-type company.
6-LUCY WARWICK
Following Luke Fernie’s gentle persuasion Warwick switched to Yoyo’s ahead of stable mate Scandolo in the Westspeed Platinum Autumn Final. A running double aboard Sniparoochy gave her five winners since Wednesday, four of which came courtesy of pick up rides.
7-PLAYING GOD
Darling View champion Playing God was on fire early with his progeny winning the first three races on the card. Swear To God, God Has Chosen and Mojo Rhythm. The latter looks a nice type and franked trainer Kieran McDonagh’s decision to take him out of a 1600m event on Wednesday.
Julio Santarelli