Mystery Miss Makes It Two In A Row
22 September, 2018
Thoroughbred
Talented filly Mystery Miss has made it two wins in a row to start her campaign, taking out the Heineken Plate (1300m) at Belmont Park.
It was widely considered to be a two horse race to open the day, with the Grant and Alana Williams-trained filly holding favouritism over the Simon Miller-trained Free Mover.
The pace was hot early in the race, with Stares Andwhispers holding out Free Mover to take the lead, while Mystery Miss settled with just two runners behind her.
In a sight which has become familiar over the past couple of weeks, jockey William Pike loomed up in the colours of owner-breeder Bob Peters and stormed over the top of his rivals to score a comfortable one-and-a-quarter length victory.
Precious Cargo showed significant improvement on her first three starts to run on strongly for second, while Stella Anne was third.
The early pace brought about the undoing of Free Mover, who faded to finish fifth.
Peters said he expected the filly to get over further ground as she matured and indicated the filly would join his ever-growing team for the Ascot carnival.
“She seems to take everything in her stride,” he said.
“He grandmother won the VRC Oaks and her mother was very good as well.
“She will have a little break now and we will bring her back for the spring races.”
Pike then teamed up with leading trainer Adam Durrant to take out the Crown Sports Bar Handicap (1200m) aboard Argoon, the first of three winners on the day for the combination.
The most impressive win, arguably, was that of Battle Storm in the Amelia Park Handicap (1000m).
Battle Storm was very slow away from the gates, but his class showed in the straight to win by a half-length.
“I didn’t get a good start at all, a few things weren’t quite right,” he said.
“I bungled it and only a nice horse gets you out of trouble in that situation.
“He’s always shown that he has above average ability.”
The third of the Pike and Durrant winners was consistent mare Electric Light in the 60th Wedding Anniversary Rob and Valerie Dick Handicap (1200m).
It was Electric Light’s sixth win from eight starts in her first campaign.
Durrant said he would consider running Electric Light in the Listed Hannan’s Handicap (1400m) at Kalgoorlie on October 3, with the Marjorie Charleson Classic and Sheila Gwynne Classic in the autumn also on the radar.
Durrant’s other winner on the day was Pagan Image, ridden by Peter Knuckey.
Tim Walker