Mogumber Park sire Safeguard filled out a running double at Ascot on Saturday when his promising 3yo Leniency was an impressive first-up winner of the Dudley Preston Hcp (1200m).
Leniency had shown potential during his initial prep last year with wins at Belmont as a late-season 2yo and early-season 3yo. So much so, trainer Colin Webster rates him a horse with a future.
“He has lots of ability, this horse,” Webster declared after the head-bobbing victory over Ex Sport Girl (A Lot). “He should be unbeaten. A Heavy 10 and greenness beat him on debut then he came out and won two in a row.
“He trialled last week and looked a bit green again so I put blinkers on today which really helped him concentrate. And he will keep improving getting out to 1400m.”
Leniency was bred and sold by Namerik Thoroughbreds to John Chalmers Bloodstock (as agent) at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions. He was acting on behalf of partnership managed by Glen Forrest and cost $35,000.
His dam Never Guilty had been purchased as a broodmare prospect by Namerik owner Alan Bansemer for $18,000 when offered by Amarina Farm in 2010. She is a half-sister to G2 Todman Slipper winner Justice Prevails (Proud Knight) and since changing hands has foaled six winners headed by three-time Ascot winner Chesten Flyer (Henny Hughes).
Never Guilty’s most recent cover was back to Safeguard in November.
Regular rider Troy Turner said he was happy to sit three-wide without cover aboard Leniency on Saturday. “He’s a nice type and has really come up this prep. It was a slow tempo and I couldn’t slot in closer. He’s a big horse so I decided to stay out there and keep him in a nice rhythm.”
Safeguard sired Mountain Ash to win the Amelia Park Hcp (1600m) earlier in the afternoon. The Dan Morton-trained gelding was bred by Oakland Park and was scoring for the second time at Ascot this year.
Mountain Ash had bowed out of a winter campaign last year winning the Sandfire Roadhouse Hcp (1600m) on the Broome Cup undercard. He’s the final foal of Eight Roses (Bellotto) and her earlier progeny included Listed winner Tick Tick Bloom (Belmont Guineas, Belmont Oaks and Bunbury Cup).
Safeguard ($418k) holds a narrow lead over A Lot ($380k) for the 2022-23 WA 2YO Sires’ premiership and More Special is his latest black-type juvenile after placing in the LR Supremacy Stakes (1100m) at Ascot on Saturday. The Paul Jordan-trained filly has firmed into $21 for next month’s G2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m).
