The Crimson Pirate graduated from a Pinjarra Class 1 to a Listed victory in the Lex Piper Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on Saturday and there’s no reason why he can’t continue improving towards the G2 WATC Derby (2400m) on April 11.
The Oakland Park homebred (Photo / Western Racepix) followed front-runner Pure Mac (Maschino) and then spaced his rivals with an impressive turn of foot to win running away by two lengths and change from runner-up Aberdeen Flyer (Astern).
“He’s a natural athlete and looks the real deal,” trainer Dan Morton said. “He’s been a project since the early days when he could be a bit difficult and we’ve had plenty of help behind the scenes thanks to people like Darren Mitchell.”
The Crimson Pirate (3g Trapeze Artist – Emmalene by Jet Spur) was catalogued for the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Milburn Creek as agent for Oakland Park but was passed-in when bidding failed to reach a $350,000 reserve.
Oakland Park’s Neville and Susan Duncan race him with Busselton-based Neil MacDonald and winning jockey Lucy Fiore was up-front when quizzed about the son of Widden Stud stallion Trapeze Artist
“He’s a strange critter but that’s what probably works for him. He doesn’t know when to focus or calm down. He pricked his ears and baulked at the 200m but we were so far in front it didn’t really matter.”
The Crimson Pirate will head to the WATC Derby through the LR John Roberts Stakes (1800m) on March 14 and LR Melvista Stakes (2200m) on March 28 and his connections will be hoping the tide turns this year instead of coming up empty in the classic.
Oakland Park won the 2024 Roberts Stakes with Lord Vampi (Playing God) and last year’s Roberts Stakes and Melvista Stakes with Sail Session (Sessions) but they both finished third in the race that counted.
The Crimson Pirate is the sixth winner from LR VRC Gucci Stakes (1200m) winner Emmalene and her earlier foals include King Kapa (Capitalist) who was a dual Listed winner at Eagle Farm for trainer Tony Gollan.
Fancy Red (Sessions) also saluted in the Oakland Park colours earlier on Saturday with a tough victory in the Wittens Irrigation Hcp (1600m). She won last year’s LR Belmont Oaks (2020m) at Bunbury and Saturday’s result improved her career stats to 7 wins in 15 starts for prizemoney over $489,000.
