Wednesday Wash Up August 15
15 August, 2018
Thoroughbred
Favourites were dominant in the early races at Belmont Park this afternoon, highlighted by a classy win to the Adam Durrant-trained Pagan Image.
Despite being beaten on debut at Northam on August 2, the Blackfriars gelding was still installed favourite for the Fifth Leg Maiden (1400m) this afternoon and didn’t let the punters down.
Pagan Image didn’t have things go all his own in the run though, with jockey William Pike forced to settle the three-year-old three-wide for most of the trip just off the speed.
Coming into the home straight, Pike was able to peel off the heels of the leaders and have the gelding in clear galloping room.
Pagan Image hit the front inside the last 200m and went on to record a comfortable three and three-quarter length victory from Arnie’s Pride and Lucky Escape.
Durrant’s stable representative Jason Miller said he had high hopes for the gelding, despite the disappointment first-up.
“We were pretty confident,” he said.
“He didn’t get much luck first-up and he’s been working well.
“He’s a nice horse, but he’s still a little bit green and it showed today.
“We rate him pretty highly.”
Another of the favourites to salute in the early part of the Belmont program was the Vernon Brockman-trained Kakadu.
The gelding was coming off a strong win at Belmont on July 18 and despite having to carry an extra 3kg today, he maintained his winning form in the Salinger Handicap (1200m).
With three scratchings from the three-year-old event, Kakadu was sent out a $2.25 favourite with TABtouch.
Jockey Joe Azzopardi was rode the gelding positively from barrier six to get near the speed and was eventually able to settle to the outside of race leader Soy Tan Rapido.
Kakadu took the lead coming into the home straight from Soy Tan Rapido, but was quickly challenged by Ebony Magi who made a sustained run from the rear of the field.
Azzopardi lifted Kakadu over the concluding stages though and was able to withstand a final effort of Ebony Magi to win by a half-length.
Brockman, who had nominated Kakadu to race on Saturday, said he felt Kakadu was in the right race despite having a few obstacles to overcome.
“He hadn’t raced for a month and had 59kg, but I was confident,” he said.
“He did a fair bit of work in the race, so he ran well.”
Brockman forecasted a bright future for Kakadu and indicated he could be competitive in Saturday class.
Elsewhere, Frenchman Julien Kokotajlo recorded just his second metropolitan since coming to Perth riding The Enchantress to victory in the Hahn Superdry Handicap (1650m).
The Enchantress upstaged race favourite Kia Ora Star, coming from the rear of the field to record her third win from 10 career starts.
Meanwhile, apprentice jockey Jordan Turner has edged closer to outriding his metropolitan claim, after taking out the first event of the afternoon on the Martin Allan-trained Night Voyage.
Chinetti and Akiko set a strong tempo in the TABtouch Sprint (1000m), while Turner stuck to the inside on Night Voyage from barrier one.
With the leaders tiring on entering the straight, Night Voyage saved plenty of ground along the inside and went on to record a half-length win to Bombs Away and the consistent General Husson.
Allan indicated he would likely give the gelding a chance in Saturday class over 1000m for his next start.
Turner, who starts a 14 day suspension tonight for his ride on Fontainebleau last Saturday, then moved to within one win of outriding his metropolitan claim after he rode Irish Moshe to victory in the Perth Racing Membership Handicap (1400m).
Tim Walker