Yarradale Stud took centre-stage at Pinjarra on Saturday when War Chant (USA) warhorse Without Reg dictated terms with a front-running victory in the $100,000 Mandurah Cup (1400m).
It sets him up for black-type assignments in the LR Pinjarra Classic (1300m) and LR Bunbury Stakes (1400m) and comes just 48 hours after Yarradale-bred graduate Cashel Palace (Street Boss) signalled a black-type campaign of her own with an Ascot win on New Year’s Day.
Without Reg (7g War Chant – Movie Queen by Bletchley Park) has been a tough trooper for trainer Rhys Radford winning 10 of his 55 starts since an Ascot 3yo maiden in November 2021. He cost $29,000 at the 2020 Perth Magic Millions and has now banked over $436,000 for a syndicate that includes his parents Warren and Chris Radford and the gelding’s Yarradale-based breeder Bernie Hamill.
Radford turned him out looking fit for purpose on Saturday and that also fitted in nicely with a career-best prep this season that includes a MCA Polytrack Hcp (1400m) win and Westspeed Platinum Sprint (1400m) placing at Ascot last month.
“It surprised me when he went to the front but it was a 10 out of 10 ride by Holly (Watson),” Radford said. “And 8 of his 10 wins have been at 1400m so now we will map a path to the Bunbury Stakes (1400m) in March.”
Watson also rates him highly. “Leading wasn’t the plan today because he’s been lost in front before. A mile is probably a bit too far because he becomes too keen and doesn’t finish off. He’s got a wicked turn of foot and is my second-best favourite horse behind Comfort Me (Playing God).”
Without Reg all the way for Holly Watson in the Mandurah Cup / Photo: Western Racepix
Ladies Of London, a full-sister to Without Reg and a multiple winner for trainer Lindsey Smith, continues the family line for Greenfields Lodge owner Tony Patrizi and he has a Sessions – Ladies of London colt entered as Lot 203 for the 2026 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Vatican Storm had won the first leg of a Yarradale double at Pinjarra in the Saddlery Wholesalers Hcp (1200m) for trainer Stefan Vahala and a syndicate managed by Kyle Sutherland.
The Playing God 3yo was racing first-up since July and took off from last at the 600m to challenge the leader Pure Silver (D’argento) in the straight. He kept up a very impressive gallop to the line for Clint Johnston-Porter to score a two-length victory over Bannered (Starspangledbanner).
Vatican Storm was a $100,000 buy from Yarradale at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale and is the first live foal from Ascot winner Amalfi Lass (War Chant). Yarradale Stud has entered a Gingerbread Man – Amalfi Lass filly as Lot 121 for the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale in February.
Second-dam La Sirenuse (Barathea) won the G3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Caulfield in 2004 and it only gets better further down a catalogue page highlighted by Rogan Josh (G1 VRC Melbourne Cup) and Machine Gun Tom (G1 WATC Railway Stakes).
