The long-awaited return to Ascot also turned out the first appearance of the new season’s two-year-olds, with none more impressive than All On Red.
The $5 TABtouch chance began quickly and soon shaded the initiative despite racing one-off the fence after a few hundred metres.
Bursting a length clear around the bend, Luke Campbell committed the Doubtland chestnut for home and the colt quickened stylishly, holding Dawn Dancer ($7.50) two lengths astern.
All On Red Replay/Interview Here
It wouldn’t be a return to Ascot without a rails-hugging ride from William Pike and he delivered at his first mount for the meeting aboard Wembanyama ($4.20).
Nine lengths from the pace at the 600m, Pike probed the five-year-old up the fence as Linchpin ($2.50f) hit the lead with 300m to go.
But Wembanyama made persistent progress and rushed to the front 100m from the judge before drawing away to score by a length and a quarter.
After going a furlong in the 2200m staying event, Emerald Trader was at least 10 lengths behind the leaders.
On the rail and still in last placing with 600m left, Jason Whiting gradually eased the eight-year-old away from the fence into a wide position.
Peeling six wide around the home corner, the Trade Fair gelding let down with a run that carried him to the front 100m out and he held his momentum to the line, beating the unlucky Antique Star ($5) by a neck.
Surfside Session ($9.50) trucked across from gate six to dispute the early pace in his 1100m dash before the pace underneath finally relinquished passing the 600m mark, allowing him to cross down to the rail.
Racing into the turn, Troy Turner had rivals queuing up in behind and even allowed Lemmor ($71) to come up and shade Surfside Session rounding the bend.
But once asked, the four-year-old kicked strongly, and spurned the fleeting attention of Lemmor to pull away.
Despite a furious late rush from quirky galloper Kraken Time ($3.50f), Colin Webster’s gelding got in to win by a half-length.
Surfside Session Replay/Interview Here
Beaten for early zip, Kay Tee Why ($2.50f) was left back second last at the 600m before Pike dropped the gelding in to pursue some middle splits around the turn.
Weaving into clear running at the 200m, The Wizard pushed the go-button and the son of Nicconi flashed into action, racing to the top 50m out and saluting by three-quarters of a length.
Asphalt ($8) was one of the finds of the colder months, running riot on sloppy surfaces to record a dynamic hat-trick of successes.
However, first-up in tougher company and with barrier 13 to negotiate, the lightly raced five-year-old had the job ahead.
But when the tempo failed to develop in the 1400m contest, Brad Parnham judiciously whipped the son of Maschino around the outside after 150m to sit three wide on the speed.
It proved the winning move as the striking galloper shot to the lead around the turn and quickened away from the pursuing Kelora ($31), who got no closer than three-quarters of a length.
Another $32,880 jumped into the pockets of trainer Josh Krispyn and his stable’s workers, who purchased the horse earlier this year.
The stable went within a long neck of a big double forty minutes later when My Mate ($101) fell short of the rapidly progressing Old Mate Henry ($2.30f).
Old Mate Henry, a maiden winner at his previous start, was third last approaching the bend but was extricated around heels by Pike early in the straight.
Letting down, Steele Casey’s four-year-old charged down the centre to gobble up My Mate with 30m to travel and win.
Old Mate Henry Replay/Interview Here
A Karrakatta Plate victor at her previous start, Talkanco ($3.30) entered the $100,000 Max Simmonds Stakes (1000m) with high wraps.
But there was also a distinct possibility that the short trip would prove too nippy for her, and punters rallied behind the Pike-partnered Twisted Steel ($2.15f).
After 200m, it seemed that may be the case, as Brad Parnham was forced to goad along Talkanco to retain a spot midfield on the rail.
But with 400m to go, she was warming to her assignment and travelled up onto the back of Twisted Steel, who fleetingly emerged as a chance.
However, he was soon collared by Rostislav ($17), who was then joined by Talkanco and Luana Miss ($21).
In a desperate battle over the last 30m, Talkanco stuck her nose out to beat Luana Miss by a short head.
The Belgravia Stakes in a fortnight’s time will now be an important indicator for Dan and Ben Pearce’s plans whether they extend the filly to the 1400-1600m range or remain down at a 1200m sprinting trip.
Talkanco Replay/Interview Here
Age is failing to weary reliable veteran Bruce Almighty ($61), who turns up every preparation sporting his heart on his sleeve.
The 10-year-old was banged up on pace by Laqdar Ramoly and travelled powerfully as he moved to early front-runner Benji’s ($21) on the corner.
Asked up nearing the 150m, the Playing God gelding gave generously and in typical genuine style, hit the line with gusto to hold Red Sun Sensation ($34) a length away.
Playin’it Sweet ($4.20) firmly established herself as a horse to follow with back-to-back wins in June before another victory on reappearance three weeks ago.
On Saturday from gate 13, she was involved in an early jostle to find a position three wide with cover but came four wide at the 550m.
Looping the field, the Playing God filly travelled attractively into the straight and cut loose with her burst once asked by Lucy Fiore.
Sustaining her sprint, Playin’it Sweet forged to the front over the final 100m in an assured display, defeating Scully ($41) and Mardusa ($8) by a half-length.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
Talkanco taking the Max Simmonds Stakes. This race marked the return of some proper horses who are sure to clash again over the coming months. First blood for the campaign goes to Talkanco over Luana Miss, with the scorecard now reading 2-1 in the former’s favour. There were some encouraging runs in behind but the fillies were to the fore, which shape for some perplexing duels in several Pinnacles events.
HORSE TO FOLLOW
Playin’it Sweet (Race 10)
This was a pretty neat field, and she was never on the track. Showed a great attitude and competitive spirit to endure that kind of run and power past her rivals. I’m keen for her to step up further in distance and she will take beating in anything she contests.
Hayden King