Ridgeport struck for the second time in a week with a Safeguard 4yo when Miss Flirtacious closed Day 2 of The Pinnacles at Ascot.
Miss Flirtacious commenced her current campaign with an on-pace victory at Belmont back in September and she was in the firing line again outside front-runner Snow Prince (Safeguard) in the Drummond Golf Hcp (1200m). Saturday’s result improved her record to 4 wins in 11 starts for earnings of $180,000 including Westspeed Bonuses of $38,850.
Jockey Jade McNaught made a move at the top of the straight and the winner needed every inch of that margin in a head-bobbing finish from Deamber (Vert De Grece) and Keep Attacking (Snippetson).
Miss Flirtacious (pink silks) wins at Ascot / Photo: Western Racepix
“That’s a great result and thanks to Jeff and Fenella Martin for their help getting her right,” trainer Luke Fernie said. “She was a barrier rogue and Jade has also been a massive part of this success.
“She’s been around the mark and stuck her head out when it counted. She’s tough and always gives 150%. Jade judged the speed and was able to give her a breather. It was a pretty strong race and the mare is doing a good job.”
Fernie is also a part-owner of Miss Flirtacious with Kim Doak and Maria Manfredini. She was a bargain $6,000 buy when offered by Ridgeport at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions Winter Yearling Sale.
Ridgeport owner Santo Guagliardo bred her booking Mogumber Park sire Safeguard for his mare Lady Natasha (Real Quiet). She was a Listed winner of the 2005 Lindsay Rosenthal Stakes (1400m) at Belmont and second-dam Celebrity Princess (Palace Music) won the LR Belmont Oaks (2400m) in 1998.
Guagliardo was also on the mark with Safe Hustle at Geraldton last Sunday in the Road To Ascot Regional Championship. He bred the 4yo son of Safeguard who is the third winner from as many to race out of Husslew (Hussonet). Their dam is a half-sister to G3 AJC Silver Shadow Stakes (1400m) winner Deer Valley (Lonhro).
