Oakland Park stallion Sessions has gone on another winning streak with classic-bound Sail Session the common denominator in both benders.
Sessions (Lonhro) logged a career-best weekend haul of five winners when Sail Session landed the LR John Roberts Stakes (1800m) at Ascot a fortnight ago. The Dan Morton-trained 3yo gelding lifted the bar again on Saturday with a LR Melvista Stakes (2200m) victory that climaxed a remarkable run of 8 winners in 8 days for his sire. Photo / Western Racepix
Sessions launched his latest day-by-day procession with Simon Miller’s consistent 3yo Amaroo Star (Ascot) and it continued with Cheryl’s Shout (Narrogin), Pure Obsession (Pinjarra), Lova Session (Ascot), Outlaw Music & Call Time (Albany) before Jaz Session & Sail Session (Ascot) doubled up on Saturday.
The Oakland Park resident’s extraordinary strike-rate sets up an intriguing battle for mid-table supremacy this season with Maschino (Alwyn Park) and Awesome Rock (Gold Front).
The trio started their stud careers in WA and they’re all firing with Tuesday’s TBWA Sires’ Table showing Sessions ($2.80m) holding a slender lead over Maschino ($2.58m) and Awesome Rock ($2.39m)
It also sets up a much-anticipated clash with Machine Gun Gracie (Maschino) in the G2 WA Derby (2400m) on Saturday week, April 19. They dominate TABtouch betting with the boom filly quoted a short-priced $2.10 favourite while Sail Session is on the second line of markets at $3.50.
Sail Session (3g Sessions – Unfurl by Raise The Flag) has a bottom-half pedigree infused with staying blood from New Zealand’s South Island. He won an Ascot maiden over 1800m in January and his record now stands at 4 wins in 8 starts for earnings of $336,000 with Westspeed Bonuses of $138,000.
“He settled beautifully but I was forced to go a bit early,” Lucy Fiore claimed after the Melvista victory over longshot Maxwhooshtapin (Pride Of Dubai) and stablemate Net Zero (A Lot). “He had to do it the hard way and will be fine over 2400m in the Derby.”
Morton has been pleased with his progress behind the scenes and knows how to condition a horse for the WA Derby having prepared Alaskan God (Playing God) to win in 2022. “He’s a beautiful horse to deal with at home,” Morton explained. “He’s been a slow burn but has always looked a good stayer in the making.”
Oakland Park owner-breeders Neville and Susan Duncan have also tasted success in the WA Derby with the Fred Kersley-trained Shirazamatazz (Barathea) in 2003. It was a Group 1 in those days and he had put the writing on wall with a narrow victory in the Melvista.
