Our Paladin Al claimed the first-leg of a running double for Westbury Park sire A Lot (USA) on Saturday and trainer Russell Stewart believes he will be back at Ascot for black-type races in twelve months.
A homebred for Queenslea Park’s Morton family, Our Paladin Al lived up to a short-priced quote in the Ascot Equine Veterinarians Westspeed Platinum Sprint (1400m) to win by two lengths from Lombadina (Ducimus) and Without Reg (War Chant).
Jockey Chris Parnham settled three-wide and that was a winning move while several starters closer to the rails were held up in a muddling run race. “That was a smart ride,” Stewart declared. “I told Chris to be positive and make sure he was over the top of them on the corner.
“He ran really well first-up here a fortnight ago and I added blinkers for the $125,000 go-to race today. This horse is getting better and better and we will get his ratings up at Belmont so we can come back here for The Pinnacles this time next year.”
Our Paladin Al (4g A Lot – Flirtatious by Purrealist) was bred by the late Alan Morton and is from a widely-travelled mare who won at Mornington prior to a move to the north-west where she won at Broome, Port Hedland and Roebourne for Tom Pike before saluting in the 2015 Marble Bar Cup.
Our Paladin Al’s winning owners celebrate his victory in the Westspeed Platinum Sprint / Photo: Western Racepix
Auto Cruise completed the A Lot double in the $125,000 Ducimus & Rommel @ Ridgeport Westspeed Platinum Mile (1600m) and her connections had Clint Johnston-Porter to thank for a winning move approaching the home turn.
When Willie Pike went forward on Seven Candles at the 600m, Johnston-Porter got on the back of the even-money favourite and was poised to strike in the final furlong. It was her second feature race victory in a row following the $100,000 Westspeed Platinum Series Final (1400m) on December 6.
Auto Cruise (4m A Lot – Cruisey Bek by Hala Bek) was bred by the late Dr Colin Davey who operated the Balgownie Equine Vet Clinic at King River. He also bred Feels Playful (Playing God) who won the Own The Dream Maiden (1400m) on Platinum Day in 2022.
