Wednesday Wash Up September 19
19 September, 2018
Thoroughbred
Arcadia Queen has announced herself as a key contender for feature three-year-old races this season, following a commanding win in the TABtouch – Better Your Bet Handicap (1200m).
A half-sister to 2016 WA Derby winner Arcadia Dream, the Pierro filly overcame a tricky run in recording a victory at her first start.
Jockey William Pike found himself trapped three-wide in the middle stages aboard the $1.28 TABtouch favourite Arcadia Queen and was left without cover.
The filly’s talent was on display in the home straight though as she ranged up to second favourite Colourful Chloe at the 100m mark, before she drew away to win by a length.
Owner and breeder Bob Peters said he expected Arcadia Queen, trained by Grant and Alana Williams, to be one of, if not, his best three-year-old this season.
“Being her first start and racing against horses that have raced before, it’s always a time when you’re looking forward to it,” he said.
“As long as they are coming home well, that’s all we are looking for at this stage.”
Peters said he had no immediate plans for Arcadia Queen and indicated he may only give the filly one more start prior to a break.
In the proceeding race, Disposition’s half-brother Final Hearing made it a race-to-race double for Pike, Peters and the Williams team.
Final Hearing defied a late betting drift to emulate the deeds of his stablemate Arcadia Queen and win at his racetrack debut.
Pike settled the gelding slightly worse than midfield, before he took the lead inside the last 50m to record a three-quarter length victory.
Peters said he was hopeful Final Hearing could emulate some of the deeds of Disposition, last year’s Hannan’s Handicap winner, by winning blacktype races.
“It was nice to see,” he said.
“His build is a little bit different to Disposition, he’s got a little more scope to him and hopefully he can get over a little bit further.
“We will wait and see what happens today and how they pull up then try to get them to the better races that are coming up.”
Pike made it three wins in a row when Mr Undercover took out the PSC Insurance Handicap (1200m).
His fourth win of the day came on the Nick Cox-trained First Growth in the Fifth Leg Handicap (1650m).
Earlier in the day, punters got off to a strong start when short price favourite Light My Day taking out the Off The Track – Supporting Retired Racehorses Handicap (1400m).
The gelding made it back-to-back wins, after he won at Belmont a fortnight ago.
Meanwhile, five-year-old Dam Ready has recorded his first win since coming to Western Australia, taking out the Lavazza Handicap (1000m).
The gelding was placed in blacktype races on multiple occasions as a three-year-old in Victoria, was having his third start in WA and was aided by a rails hugging ride by jockey Glenn Smith.
Bairstow said he had high hopes for Dam Ready, formerly in the care David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig in Victoria.
“I like this horse, I’ve got a bit of time for him,” he said.
“He might be a bit better than people think he is.
“The way he let down today, that’s what he does.”
Meanwhile, trainer Darren Mc Auliffe will aim three-year-old Axel ‘R’ Eight towards the Group 2 WA Derby (2400m), following his win today in the Ascot Racing Carnival Book Now Handicap (2000m).
The Gingerbread Man gelding was having just his third start today, where he was pitted against the older horses, but it proved no hurdle as he recorded a one and three-quarter length victory.
Mc Auliffe said he would consider starting the three-year-old in races like the J.C. Roberts and Melvista Stakes prior to the Derby.
Tim Walker