WIN OF THE DAY
Quality mare Bonjoy made it look easy in winning her third straight race in a row. Today it was the Ascot mile and later in the year there’s another Ascot race that’s a lot more prestigious and carries more prizemoney that she will target: the Group 1 Railway Stakes. A five-year-old, perfectly managed by Jason Miller, whose star is on the rise.
TRAINER
A winning return by talented two-year-old filly Strideaway who is on track to give Neville Parnham a terrific opportunity of snapping a Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic hoodoo at Pinjarra in two weeks’ time.
The Sean and Jake Casey yard are flying. The latest addition to their winning team is Want A Winner. Not seen since scoring on debut at Belmont in March, the big striding three-year-old, camped behind the lead, beat home a good field with depth to make it two from two.
A nice fillip for Rob Gulberti operating out of a new base with Just Saint James answering 1200m queries, led home by a peerless Chris Parnham ride.
Reward for Cliff Green with Benji’s fighting hard to get the better of Bruce Almighty. The seven-year-old had been without a win for 861 days, but his form was better than that including a previous third to Bonjoy.
JOCKEY
He’s a hard-working jockey who has cut his teeth in the country regions, but Austin Galati wasn’t going to miss an opportunity of partnering Prince Of Santos in the city, scoring his first Saturday win at Ascot on the courageous gelding, a favourite of trainer Summer Dickson, who is lucky to be racing after breaking a sesamoid.
In the absence of William Pike, Chris Parnham has stepped up to the plate. His season tally advances after wins on Caporetto, Want A Winner and Just Saint James.
Fresh from riding a hat trick at Albany 24 hours earlier, Holly Watson carried that strike rate to town when booting home Royal Splendour in the opener before lifting Icebergs to a tough all the way win, the gelding’s first at 2200m, much to the delight of canny punters who snapped up the $21 available on Thursday.
RIDE OF THE DAY.
There was no stopping Chris Parnham on Just Saint James. Last to the turn, he cut the corner along the fence, angled off heels and then commenced the chase to overhaul Cessation. No panic required, an ice-cool ride from a jockey at the peak of his powers at the moment.
HORSES TO FOLLOW
After a long time out, Cavallo Red has made an impact in two runs back with consecutive seconds. Hit the line hard from last with only Caporetto in front of him.
Playing Games was zigging and zagging looking for a run late in the piece and found the line well behind Just Saint James.
Aberdeen Flyer hasn’t been dealt the best of cards in his two races but shows promise. He held his ground well after crossing from wide gate and sitting on pace.
HARD LUCK STORY
Stormageddon might have to be renamed Armageddon after another tough watch.
Snow God returned with an elevated heart rate and jockey Joe Azzopardi advised the gelding felt uncomfortable in its action.
Own The Queen had to be eased out of the Ascot mile soon after the start.
Julio Santarelli