Peters Filly A Champion
17 November, 2018
Thoroughbred
Impressive filly Arcadia Queen has delivered owner-breeder Bob Peters and trainers Grant and Alana Williams their third WA Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) in the past five years at Ascot this afternoon.
After a slashing third in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) on Melbourne Cup day, Arcadia Queen was sent out an easing $2.30 second favourite behind Lady Cosmology.
In similar circumstances to the Burgess Queen, Lady Cosmology set a steady tempo in front, while Arcadia Queen was midfield, albeit significantly closer to the speed.
The pair then put a significant gap on their rivals in the straight and it was jockey Chris Parnham who lifted Arcadia Queen to victory when the gap presented.
Parnham’s success on Arcadia Queen made the Champion Fillies Stakes the first Group race he and his brothers Brad and Steven have won.
While for Williams and Peters, Arcadia Queen joined Delicacy and Perfect Reflection as their recent winners of the $200,000 event.
Parnham was the beneficiary of leading jockey William Pike’s suspension, picking up the ride on Arcadia Queen and a number of other strong chances on the meeting.
The in-form jockey said Arcadia Queen would be difficult to beat in next week’s WA Guineas (1600m) if connections decided to back her up.
“There’s definitely better things in store for her,” he said.
“She’s still a little bit immature, but she’s just too good.
“If she went that way (WA Guineas), she’d be hard to beat.”
Parnham also teamed up with Arcadia Queen’s brother Arcadia Prince to record a victory in the TABtouch-Better Your Bet Handicap (1400m).
Meanwhile, the Paul Jordan-trained Specialism has made it two wins from as many starts to begin her career, with a strong win in the Mumm Champagne Plate (1000m).
Specialism was sent straight to the front by jockey Craig Staples and dug deep in the home straight after Mia Dolce looked to get on level terms.
Jordan said he would likely give Specialism another start this campaign, before returning for autumn feature events.
“She’s not eligible for the Magic Millions,” he said.
“We’ll see how she pulls up, she might run in the Crystal Slipper (December 1) and then come back for the Gimcrack and the Karrakatta Plate.”
Specialism’s dam Clarecastle ran second in the WA Champion Fillies Stakes in 2006.
Tim Walker