Impeccably-bred mare Western Lady raised her residual value following an auspicious first-up victory for Forest View Farm owners Ben and Jo Duncan at Belmont on Wednesday.
Western Lady appeared to be racing for minor money at best half-way down the straight before launching a late bid for Lucy Fiore in the Swan Draught Hcp (1400m). Bred and initially raced by Peters Investments, she was last seen in April prior to changing hands for $37,500 at the Inglis September (Late) Online Sale.
“That was a super win and she will be getting over further ground having such a huge stride,” stand-in trainer Brandon Fiore predicted. He took over her latest preparation while Grant and Alana Williams are sidelined.
Western Lady (Photo / Western Racepix) is by Swettenham Stud’s Group 1 racehorse and sire Toronado (High Chaparral) and is one of 8 individual winners from G2 Perth Cup heroine Western Jewel (Jeune). The best of them has been G1 Railway Stakes winner Western Empire (Iffraaj).
She followed recent Forest View-bred Ascot winners Belta Of A Song (Your Song), Urquharts Bluff (Sessions), Yougivemechills (Frosted) and Mangifera (War Chant) who can continue the run with Lucy aboard in the Westspeed Platinum Hcp (1600m) at Pinjarra on Saturday.
Ben Duncan took time out on Wednesday to watch the win and to preview the pick of the Forest View consignment ahead of inspections at the Magic Millions salegrounds this weekend.
(Lot 20) Brave Smash colt ex Lady Macan. By an imported Japanese-bred sire who won a G1 Manikato Stakes and G1 Futurity Stakes. “His first-crop included the (LR) Raconteur Stakes winner Brave Spirit and there are 10 black-type winners under his second-dam Lady Jakeo (Last Tycoon).
(Lot 47) Dundeel filly from Pellicle. “Outstanding type by a sire who stands for an $80,000 service fee and her half-sister Live To Tell won a (G3) Gimcrack and (LR) Supremacy Stakes.”
(Lot 61) State of Rest colt from Rebel Assault is a first-crop son of a Cox Plate winner who also won at Group 1 level at Royal Ascot and Longchamp. “He’s a standout colt. There are big wraps on the sire and this one is a half-brother to the (G3) Gimcrack Stakes winner Siren Assault.”
(Lot 71) Sessions filly ex Royal Strata is closely related to Magic Millions 2yo Classic hopeful Maria Lucia. “Her family can do no wrong and neither can Sessions. He’s flying this season.” Sessions sired the winners of 14 races last month and he has two favourites on Magic Millions Day at Pinjarra – Audio Boy (Duncan Equine Group Hcp) and Supernatural (TBWA Platinum Classic).
(Lot 80) Playing God filly out of Sminky Shorts is a half-sister to Champion WA 2YO Super Smink. “She’s a scopey filly and has continued to grow during her yearling prep.” Duncan also reports Sminky Shorts is in foal to Godolphin’s multiple Group 1 winner Anamoe (Street Boss).
The Forest View Farm yearlings are stabled in Barn C and Ben Duncan can be contacted on 0417 551 333
