As hard as they tried, they couldn’t get past Playhouse Patron in the Listed G.A.Towton Cup (2200m) at Ascot on Saturday, the Bob McPherson-trained gelding’s tough effort boosting his Perth Cup (2400m) credentials on New Year’s Day.
Playhouse Patron was there for the taking and looked vulnerable when headed by Diamond Scene in the straight, but the five-year-old refused to give in and fought back on the inside for jockey Joe Azzopardi, scoring in a tight tussle.
Diamond Scene lost no admirers in running second, beaten a short neck, after a month between runs and stepping up from 1800m of the Luckygray Stakes two weeks back.
In Good Order ran third and appears to be building towards a peak performance over more territory in the Perth Cup.
Playhouse Patron capped a top day in the saddle for Azzopardi who set the tone earlier when landing the first leg of a double with another leading run on Devine Belief.
Azzopardi was full of admiration for Playhouse Patron’s fighting win, saying he didn’t think he was on target for a second victory when he got headed 300m from the finishing post.
“I’ve always had a lot of time for him,” Azzopardi said.
“Today, I didn’t really have much of a plan.
“I couldn’t get in, so I rolled forward and had a lovely run in front.
“He was strong to the line.
“At the 300m they had me covered quite comfortably, but to his credit he dug deep and kicked again.
“He ran right through the line quite well.”
Playhouse Patron posted his fifth win from 35 starts and first at Ascot, with prizemoney a tick over $400,000.
He will have another Perth Cup audition in the Listed A.T.A. Stakes (2200m) on December 18.
McPherson is hoping Playhouse Patron can score redemption in the Perth Cup after he ran sixth to Casino Seventeen in January.
In Tabtouch future markets Playhouse Patron $14 for the Perth Cup.
Diamond Scene the $4.80 favourite.
Julio Santarelli